## Quick Facts

The American Cocker Spaniel is a compact American bird dog and companion with considerable working drive behind its elegant appearance. It is a distinct breed, not a smaller version of the English Cocker Spaniel. The breeds share an origin but have different standards and breeding histories. Even so, you cannot assume that every American Cocker is calmer or has less hunting drive than every English Cocker.

- **Origin:** United States.
- **Classification:** FCI number 167 in Group 8, Retrievers, Flushing Dogs and Water Dogs.
- **Original function:** flushing and retrieving bird dog; the breed standard also lists companion dog.
- **Ideal height at the withers:** about 38 cm for males and 35.5 cm for females. The breed standard does not specify an ideal weight.
- **Temperament ideal:** even, confident and cheerful, without shyness.
- **Activity:** needs substantial daily exercise and tasks that engage its nose and cooperation with the handler.
- **Coat care:** demanding, especially when the coat is kept long. A shorter sport trim makes daily care easier but does not remove the need to check the ears, feet and skin.

The breed is best suited to someone who wants to combine companionship with training and accepts regular coat and ear care. It can suit a first-time owner who seeks help when needed, but it is not automatically an easy choice simply because it is relatively small.

## Appearance & Coat

The American Cocker Spaniel should be a strong, balanced and mobile dog in a compact format. The body is slightly longer than tall but should look neither long nor low. The clearly defined head should be in proportion to the body. The eyes should be dark and must not protrude; the expression should be alert and gentle. Movement should be free and efficient, without the abundant coat obscuring the dog's outline.

The standard divides the colours into black, solid colours other than black, and parti-colours. The body coat is medium in length with a protective undercoat. The ears, chest, abdomen and legs carry more feathering. Correct coat is silky and straight or slightly wavy. Excessive coat, a cottony texture or curl is not the goal: the American Cocker Spaniel should still function as a sporting dog.

How often the coat needs combing and clipping depends on its amount, length and texture, as well as the dog's activity and the weather. Part the coat down to the skin and check that a comb passes through without resistance. Tangles readily form around the ears, armpits, groin and feet and under a harness or collar. After walks in woodland, rain or swimming, the coat needs an extra check and thorough drying.

A full show coat requires considerably more work than a shorter sport trim. Ask the breeder to demonstrate the care routine before the puppy comes home. Gradually accustom the puppy to a comb, dryer, clippers, foot handling and standing still for short periods. Grooming then becomes an everyday skill rather than a struggle after the coat has already matted.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is an even, bold and cheerful dog that enjoys working with its person. Many American Cockers seek contact, are playful and learn quickly, but the standard describes a breeding goal—it does not promise the temperament of an individual dog. Genetics, early experiences, health, upbringing and training all have an influence.

The Swedish BPH data are too limited to provide a reliable picture of temperament across the breed: the current breeding strategy reports only 25 assessed dogs in 2015–2023. It is therefore more useful to meet the puppy's mother and, if possible, other close relatives. Watch how the dogs seek contact, accept handling, respond to something unexpected and settle again. Ask how relatives cope with the kind of daily life you are planning.

Hunting traits vary but can remain. The breed is still described as a flushing and retrieving bird dog, although hunting use is uncommon in Sweden. An American Cocker may therefore suddenly become very interested in a scent or bird. Recall and outdoor engagement need to be trained rather than assumed.

## Training & Exercise

The American Cocker Spaniel needs daily activity, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. Age, health, fitness, environment and the day's other demands determine what is appropriate. A good routine combines walks and free movement in safe places with scent work, retrieving, cooperation and the ability to settle afterwards.

The breed's background offers several natural training routes. Search exercises, tracking human scent, blood tracking, controlled retrieving and tasks in which the dog works close to the handler engage both its nose and its willingness to cooperate. Rally obedience, obedience, agility and freestyle may also suit the individual. Start simply and increase difficulty, duration and physical load only when the dog is recovering well.

Prioritise recall, engagement, calm behaviour around encounters and the ability to leave a scent trail from an early age. Also train everyday skills: examination around the eyes and ears, foot handling, standing on a grooming table and resting despite movement nearby. Short, clear sessions and rewards the dog values help maintain motivation.

More activity is not always the answer to restlessness. A dog that struggles to settle may need clearer recovery time, better-adjusted training or a health check. For a puppy, new environments, body awareness and short tasks should take priority over long, repetitive exercise sessions.

## Health

The ears are the most important health area to plan for, and eye examination is the clear Swedish breeding requirement. The Swedish breeding strategy identifies ear inflammation as the breed's most common health problem. Drop ears, abundant ear hair and a rich coat make it particularly important to be able to see the skin, keep the hair around the ear opening manageable and spot problems early.

Odour, redness, swelling, discharge, tenderness or head shaking are reasons to contact a veterinarian. Recurrent problems should be investigated because there may be an underlying cause. Healthy ears do not, however, need cleaning according to a frequent standard schedule. Nor does the breeding strategy support the claim that American Cockers are generally born with narrow ear canals.

Hereditary eye conditions including cataracts and retinal folds occur, and PRA has been identified in isolated cases. For a litter registered in Sweden, both parents must have an official eye-examination result. The certificate may be no more than one year old, and the result must be valid before mating. The rule requires a current result; it does not mean that every diagnosis must be marked clear. Check the parents' results and dates in the Swedish Kennel Club's Avelsdata database, and ask the breeder to explain how any findings were assessed for the proposed mating.

A DNA test for prcd-PRA is neither a guarantee against all PRA nor a replacement for an eye examination. In 2025, the Swedish Kennel Club's breeding committee rejected an application for a central level 1 prcd-PRA health programme for the American Cocker Spaniel because it had not been established that confirmed PRA cases in the breed were caused by that particular mutation. Do not confuse the breed's Swedish requirements with testing packages for the English Cocker Spaniel: FN, hip dysplasia screening and patella examination are not formal registration requirements for the American Cocker Spaniel under the current rules.

The Swedish Kennel Club's special judging instructions highlight head shape, eyes and excessive coat. When choosing a puppy, sound proportions, eyes that neither protrude nor water constantly, a correct bite, free movement and a coat that does not hinder the dog matter more than an extreme look. Healthy parents reduce uncertainty but cannot guarantee a healthy puppy.

## History & Origins

The American and English Cocker Spaniels share roots, but the American type developed in the United States and became a distinct breed. Obo II, born in 1882, is commonly identified as an important early dog in its American history. Differences in type became clearer during the first half of the 1900s.

In 1945, the American Kennel Club divided the Cocker Spaniel into American and English Cocker Spaniels. The first American Cockers arrived in Sweden in the 1950s. The FCI lists the United States as the country of origin and places the breed among retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs. Today's breed is often oriented towards companionship and showing, but the bird-dog function in the standard explains why scent work, searching and retrieving remain relevant activities.

## Living with the Breed

The American Cocker Spaniel can live well in a house or flat when activity, access outdoors, coat care and recovery are properly arranged. In a building where sound carries, training for calm behaviour around noises and a plan for the dog's days are needed; the breed name does not tell you whether an individual will bark a lot or a little.

The breed can live happily with children, dogs and other animals, but the breed alone provides no guarantee. A dog and small child should always have an adult present, and the dog needs an undisturbed resting place. Introductions to other animals should be calm and controlled. Consider the individual's previous experience, resource guarding, play style and interest in chasing, not just a general breed description.

Alone time is taught gradually once the dog feels secure at home. Begin with very short periods and increase them only while the dog remains calm. Some individuals learn quickly; others need a slower plan. The breed should therefore be described neither as unable to stay alone nor as trouble-free without training.

The following checks are particularly useful before buying a puppy:

- View both parents' official eye results and dates in Avelsdata; check that each result was no more than one year old at mating.
- Ask about recurrent ear, eye and skin problems in the parents and close relatives, not only whether the dogs appear healthy on that particular day.
- Meet the puppy's mother and observe contact, handling, reactions to sound and recovery. Ask about other close relatives if the father is not present.
- Look for free movement, sound head proportions, eyes that do not protrude, water or squint, and a quantity of coat that can be maintained without hindering the dog.
- Ask the breeder to demonstrate coat and ear care, and judge the workload against the coat length you actually intend to keep.
- Describe the daily life and activities you are planning. A breeder who knows their lines should be able to discuss variation rather than promise that every puppy will be the same.

Rules and recommendations can change. Always check the current versions with the Swedish Kennel Club and breed club when buying rather than relying on an old checklist.

American Cocker Spaniel

The Kennel Club (UK)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Svenska Kennelklubben (Sweden)

Dansk Kennel Klub (DKK)

Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK)

American Cocker Spaniel: a small, sturdy gundog with a silky coat and large, expressive eyes. Cheerful, affectionate, and people‑oriented, it suits active families. Needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, gentle positive training, and regular, thorough grooming and ear care.

Troupers

## Quick Facts

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small but sturdy German breed with a strong instinct to watch, plenty of enthusiasm for work and a coat that needs hand-stripping. It is the smallest of the schnauzer breeds, but not simply a scaled-down Standard Schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer is a distinct breed developed for farm work in a compact, manageable form.

- **Height at the withers:** 30–35 cm for both dogs and bitches
- **Weight:** 4–8 kg according to the breed standard
- **Country of origin:** Germany
- **Original role:** rat catcher and farm dog
- **Coat:** harsh topcoat with a dense undercoat
- **Colours:** black, pepper and salt, black and silver, and white
- **Typical traits:** watchful, enduring, curious and often quick to raise the alarm

The Miniature Schnauzer is best suited to someone who wants to train and engage with their dog every day and accepts the need for regular coat care. Its handy size makes it easy to take along, but daily life still requires clear routines.

## Appearance & Coat

The Miniature Schnauzer should be compact, strong and roughly as long as it is tall. Its beard, bushy eyebrows and harsh coat create the familiar schnauzer outline. The standard gives the same height and weight ranges for both sexes, although an individual adult may sit at different points within those ranges depending on build and body condition.

The coat consists of a dense undercoat and a hard, close-lying topcoat. The four recognised colours are solid black, pepper and salt, black and silver, and solid white. Colour does not determine temperament or how well a dog will suit a particular home.

The harsh coat needs hand-stripping, which removes mature, dead topcoat hairs. The Swedish Kennel Club advises stripping at least four times a year and working through the undercoat about once a week. How often an individual dog needs a full strip depends on coat quality, growth and how short you want to keep it. The beard, leg furnishings and softer areas need combing so that dirt and tangles do not build up.

Clipping may suit a dog that has become sensitive or finds it hard to stand through a stripping session, but it changes the coat's texture. Cutting the topcoat rather than removing the mature hairs often makes it softer and woollier. Ask the breeder or an experienced groomer how the dog's coat has previously been managed before choosing a method.

A correctly maintained harsh coat normally sheds very little, but that does not make the Miniature Schnauzer allergy-free. Low shedding does not predict how someone with an allergy will react, and no breed can be guaranteed to suit everyone. If there is an allergy in the family, seek medical advice, spend controlled time with dogs and make a plan before buying.

## Temperament & Personality

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally attentive, curious and enduring. It quickly notices sounds, movement and people nearby, which can make it an effective small alarm dog. The same watchfulness may turn into repeated barking at the door, in a shared stairwell or through a window unless the dog is helped to settle.

Breed traits describe a tendency, not every individual. Swedish temperament assessments come from too small a share of breeders to provide a reliable picture of all Miniature Schnauzers. Differences between families and individual dogs can be considerable. Look at how a puppy's parents and close relatives behave in everyday situations. A secure dog should be able to recover after a surprise and relax when nothing is happening.

Miniature Schnauzers often learn quickly and can be rewarding training partners. Their owner still needs to make the desired behaviour clear and worthwhile. Harsh corrections can increase stress and barking. Calm, reward-based training makes it easier to teach the dog what to do instead.

## Training & Exercise

The Miniature Schnauzer needs physical activity and tasks for its nose and brain every day. There is no useful minute-by-minute rule that suits every dog. A healthy young adult may enjoy long walks and dog sports, while a puppy, older dog or dog with a medical condition needs a different level of exertion.

Mix walks in varied surroundings with short training sessions, scent games and time to explore at the dog's own pace. Rally obedience, scent work, trick training and agility are activities that can make good use of the breed's speed and willingness to cooperate. The aim is not to exhaust the dog every day. A better test is whether it can be active outdoors and then settle at home.

Start early with everyday skills: attention, recall, lead walking, handling of paws and beard, and relaxing in a designated place. Work on alert barking before it becomes a habit. Reward the dog for noticing a sound and then turning back to you, and teach a simple routine for the doorbell and visitors. Block the view if the dog is rehearsing barking through a window. Change one thing at a time and increase the difficulty only while the dog remains calm.

The breed's history as a rat catcher means that some individuals are keen to chase small, fast-moving animals. A reliable recall and a lead where wildlife may appear are sensible precautions, even though prey interest varies.

## Health

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally described as a robust breed, but urinary stones and eye disease are two documented concerns. The Swedish Kennel Club reports urinary stones in just over five per cent of the breed. The breed club's health work also monitors conditions including progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, and cataracts.

The breed also has a known predisposition to raised blood triglycerides. This does not mean that every Miniature Schnauzer becomes ill, and a raised result does not automatically explain digestive signs or pancreatitis. Recurrent vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urinary problems or changes in vision need veterinary assessment. A vet can decide whether a urine test, eye examination or fasting blood sample is appropriate.

Before buying a puppy, ask the breeder to show actual health information rather than simply saying that the line is healthy. Check the parents' recorded eye results and ask about urinary stones, recurring digestive problems and eye disease in close relatives. The breed club publishes DNA results for several testable conditions, but a DNA panel is not a general certificate of health and does not cover every form of PRA. Ask which tests have been done, what the results mean for that particular mating and which current recommendations the breeder follows.

Small dogs also need regular dental care. Introduce tooth brushing during puppyhood and check the mouth so that bad breath, tenderness or difficulty chewing is noticed early.

## History & Origins

The Miniature Schnauzer developed in Germany around the turn of the twentieth century. In the Frankfurt am Main area, a small schnauzer-like dog was known as the wire-haired Miniature Pinscher. The Swedish Kennel Club describes small schnauzers and Miniature Pinschers being used as breeders developed a more consistent type.

This small farm dog had to control rats and alert people to activity around farms and stables. That work helps to explain the modern breed's combination of speed, watchfulness and interest in small movements. The Miniature Schnauzer is now a companion dog, but it still benefits from using both body and brain.

## Living with the Breed

A Miniature Schnauzer can live in a flat, but a small dog is not automatically easy to keep close to neighbours. Consider whether you can manage sounds at doors and windows, provide several toilet outings and give the dog daily activity. The ability to settle indoors is often more important than the size of the home.

The breed can live happily with children when an adult helps both child and dog interact calmly. Young children and dogs should always have an adult present, and the dog needs a resting place where it will be left undisturbed. Adults remain responsible for walks, training and grooming even when children are keen to help.

Whether a dog can live with a cat depends more on the individuals, their previous experiences and the introduction than on the breed name. Keep early meetings calm, separate the animals with a gate when needed and give the cat escape routes. Rodents and other small pets should be securely separated. The breed's documented rat-catching background means it is unwise to assume that prey interest will be absent.

Time alone must be taught gradually. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and adult dogs vary greatly in what they can manage without distress. Begin with very short, uneventful absences when the dog is secure and increase the time only while it remains relaxed. Plan around the individual rather than assuming that a breed can be left for a set number of hours.

Choose a Miniature Schnauzer if you enjoy an observant, active dog and want to spend time on training and hand-stripping. Consider another breed if you want negligible coat care, a dog that rarely raises the alarm or a guaranteed solution for allergies and small pets.

Miniature Schnauzer

Svenska Schnauzer Pinscherklubben (Sweden)

Dansk Kennel Klub (Denmark)

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Germany)

Compact, sturdy Miniature Schnauzers are bright, trainable, and people focused. Their wiry, low shedding coat needs regular grooming. Alert watchdogs with a terrier streak, they need daily exercise, mental stimulation, and clear training, and often live 12–15 years.

Bo Bjerregaard

## Quick Facts

The Miniature American Shepherd is a small, athletic herding dog and a distinct, internationally recognized breed—not simply an informal name for a small Australian Shepherd. Although the breed was developed from small Australian Shepherds in the United States, it now has its own breed standard and is registered separately.

- **Origin and purpose:** United States; developed as a farm, herding and companion dog.
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs.
- **Height at the withers:** males 35.5–46 cm and females 33–43.5 cm.
- **Weight:** the breed standard gives no fixed range. A healthy weight depends on the dog's height, sex and build.
- **Coat:** a medium-length double coat that may be straight or wavy.
- **Activity level:** high, with a need for physical activity, mental work and recovery.

This is a compact dog, but not an easy shortcut to herding-dog traits in a smaller package. The breed is best suited to someone who wants to train, spend time outdoors and also teach the dog to settle. It can work for a first-time owner who has the time, patience and interest in reward-based training. It is a poorer choice for someone mainly looking for an uncomplicated dog with low demands for activity and everyday training.

## Appearance & Coat

The Miniature American Shepherd should be well balanced, agile and strong without looking heavy or exaggerated. The body is slightly longer than tall. There is a clear size difference across the permitted heights, which is why a single weight range is misleading. Assess body condition, proportions and muscle with a veterinarian rather than comparing every dog with one number for the whole breed.

The coat consists of weather-resistant outer hair and an undercoat whose amount can vary by season and climate. Regular thorough combing is often enough for routine care, but loose undercoat needs more attention during shedding. Bathe the dog when it is actually dirty. The coat should generally be left natural; extensive shaping is not part of normal grooming for the breed.

Accepted base colors are black, red, blue merle and red merle, with or without tan points and white. White may occur in defined areas but should not dominate the head or body. Eyes may be brown, blue, hazel or amber, and a dog may have eyes of different colors or more than one color in the same eye. An unusual eye color is a permitted variation in appearance, not evidence by itself of vision, health or temperament.

The tail may be long or naturally short, known as a natural bobtail, NBT. A short tail is therefore not automatically docked. Docking is prohibited in Sweden, and a Swedish buyer should distinguish a natural bobtail from a surgically shortened tail on an imported dog.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard describes the Miniature American Shepherd as intelligent, biddable, adaptable and loyal, with herding and guarding instincts. It is often alert to its surroundings and quick to react. This can produce excellent responsiveness in training, but also a dog that notices movement, sounds and changes its owner barely registers.

The breed may be reserved with strangers. Reserve means that the dog may wait and observe without seeking contact; it is not the same as being shy, fearful or threatening. Forced greetings rarely make a reserved dog more confident. Instead, give it space, let it observe and reward calm initiatives of its own.

Swedish BPH behavioral-assessment data shows above all that variation within the breed is considerable. Some dogs greet readily, others show little interest, and reactions to surprises, noise and uncertainty differ between individuals. BPH describes the dog's reactions on that day and does not issue a pass or fail. When choosing a puppy, the behavior, recovery and everyday function of the parents and close relatives are therefore more informative than a single label such as “typical temperament.”

The breed's close attention to its family should not be romanticized into a claim that every individual is automatically confident, sociable and easy-going. Ask the breeder how the adult dogs manage visitors, new environments, handling, sounds and quiet inactivity. Request concrete examples and consider any BPH results in context.

## Training & Exercise

The Miniature American Shepherd needs an active life, but there is no fixed schedule that suits every individual. A good routine includes walks and free movement where safe, scent work or problem-solving, short training sessions and genuine rest. The dog's age, fitness, health and ability to recover should determine the workload.

Agility, rally obedience, tracking, nosework, obedience, search work, herding and trick training are examples of suitable activities. No particular sport is compulsory. What matters is that the dog uses both body and mind without every day escalating to a higher level of intensity. If the dog still struggles to settle after activity, clearer pauses and better-adjusted training may be the answer—not automatically more exercise.

Reward-based training with clear criteria suits a quick and responsive dog. Start early with engagement, recall, leash skills, handling and waiting calmly. Also train the skills that are easily forgotten: lying quietly while the family eats, disengaging from a task, watching people or dogs pass without intervening, and returning to calm after play.

In daily life, herding and guarding behaviors may appear as following movement, trying to control running or sounding the alarm when something happens. This does not mean that every dog chases children, herds cats or barks a great deal. Observe what triggers the individual dog and teach alternative behaviors before a pattern becomes a habit. Puppies need short, positive experiences and age-appropriate movement; they should not be exercised like fully grown dogs.

## Health

Hip dysplasia, HD, occurs in the Miniature American Shepherd, but the Swedish population is young and evidence for reliable frequency estimates for several other conditions is limited. Insurance coding, small datasets and the low average age of the dogs have made older summaries difficult to interpret. A long list of possible diagnoses therefore says less than verified results from the puppy's parents and close relatives.

It is important to distinguish the Swedish Kennel Club's formal registration rules from the breed club's breeding recommendations. The Miniature American Shepherd has no special breed-specific health program marked as a registration condition in the Swedish Kennel Club's current registration rules. The Swedish Miniature American Shepherd Club does, however, recommend that before mating both parents have:

- an HD result of A or B and an ED result of 0
- a clear eye examination no more than 18 months old
- known prcd-PRA status, with a carrier bred only to a genetically clear dog
- known NAD status, using a clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier combination.

Ask to see the actual result, examination date and how the parents' results are combined. The word “health tested” is not enough. A DNA test can answer only for the variant it targets and does not replace a clinical eye examination.

MDR1, also known as ABCB1, is a gene variant that can affect how the dog handles certain medicines. If the dog has been tested, keep the result and show it to the treating veterinarian. Medication choice and dosage should never be decided from general online breed advice.

Merle must not be bred to merle because the combination can produce puppies with two copies of the merle allele and an increased risk of serious sight and hearing problems; such a mating conflicts with Swedish Kennel Club basic rules. A natural bobtail is associated with the NBT trait. The breed club urges caution with NBT-to-NBT combinations while the issue continues to be monitored, which should not be confused with the explicit prohibition of merle-to-merle matings.

## History & Origins

The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California in the late 1960s by breeding small Australian Shepherds. The aim was a smaller, enduring herding dog that could work sheep and goats, among other livestock, while fitting into a mobile ranch and equestrian life. From 1980 the name Miniature Australian Shepherd was used in registration before the breed later received its current name.

The American breed club was formed in 1990, and the breed entered the American Kennel Club's development registry in 2011. Full American recognition followed in 2015, and the FCI recognized the breed in 2019. The first Swedish litter was born in 2006, while Swedish registration as Miniature American Shepherd began in 2017.

Sweden also has a controlled crossbreeding program in which Australian Shepherds may be used under Swedish Kennel Club registration rules and the offspring are registered as Miniature American Shepherds. This does not alter the dogs' status as members of the recognized breed; the program is a regulated breeding tool. For a buyer, it makes the pedigree and the breeder's aims especially relevant, because traits and size can vary even within the breed standard.

## Living with the Breed

The Miniature American Shepherd can live well in either a house or an apartment. The size of the home matters less than how daily life works: the dog needs to get outside, use its senses, train and be able to rest without constantly monitoring the stairwell, windows or garden. A garden can be convenient but does not replace shared activity or environmental training.

With children, adult supervision, clear rules and a resting place where the dog is left undisturbed are essential. Running and loud noise can attract the attention of a herding dog that is sensitive to movement, so calm interactions and breaks before the dog becomes over-aroused matter more than assuming the breed is “good with children.” Children should never be responsible for reading or handling a dog under pressure.

Living with another dog or a cat depends on the individual, previous experience and the introduction. Let meetings happen gradually and under control, give the cat escape routes and its own resources, and interrupt fixation or chasing early. The breed comes with no guarantee of compatibility, but its herding background does not make problems inevitable either.

Alone-time training should progress gradually when the dog feels safe, has been exercised and is ready to rest. Start with very short periods and watch how that particular dog responds; prolonged barking, pacing or an inability to eat and rest indicate that training has progressed too quickly. A closed crate may not be used as routine confinement or as a solution to separation problems in Swedish homes.

Before buying a puppy, check more than registration and color. Ask to see the parents' health results and dates, ask about MDR1 and other relevant DNA results, examine temperament and recovery in the family, and discuss how the breeder prioritizes working drive, noise reactions, reserve and the ability to settle. A responsible match is about the kind of daily life the dog was bred and raised for—not just finding the right appearance.

Miniature American Shepherd

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

Compact, athletic herding dog bred in the U.S. as a smaller Australian Shepherd. Intelligent, devoted, and “velcro” with family, often reserved with strangers. Needs regular training, mental work, and exercise. Medium double coat in varied colors; generally healthy with 12–15 year lifespan.

Nordic Shepherds

## Quick Facts

The Miniature Pinscher is a small, active and self-assured companion dog that needs far more consistent training and guidance than its size might suggest.

- The breed comes from Germany and is a breed in its own right, not a scaled-down Dobermann.
- Under the breed standard, an adult Miniature Pinscher should stand 25–30 cm and weigh 4–6 kg.
- The coat is short, smooth and easy to care for. The colours recognised in the Swedish breed standard are shades of red and black with red or rust-coloured tan markings.
- The Miniature Pinscher is lively, quick to learn and alert. Its watchdog instinct may show as barking at noises and visitors.
- Daily walks need to be combined with scent work, play, problem-solving or another form of mental activity.
- Swedish breeding work focuses particularly on kneecaps, eyes and dental health.
- The breed can live successfully in a flat and with a family, provided there is room in daily life for activity, training around everyday noises, gradual training for time alone and gentle handling.

## Appearance & Coat

The Miniature Pinscher is compact and elegant but should look neither fragile nor exaggeratedly small. Its body should be as square as possible, with height and length roughly equal, and the short coat makes its outline easy to see. Dogs and bitches have the same standard measurements: a height of 25–30 cm at the withers and a weight of 4–6 kg.

The breed has dark, oval eyes and either erect ears or V-shaped ears that fold forwards. The tail is natural. Tail docking is prohibited in Sweden.

The breed standard calls for harmonious, free, ground-covering movement with a firm back. The high, exaggerated front action sometimes called a hackney gait is therefore not the ideal under the Swedish standard; it is specifically listed as a fault.

The coat should be short, dense, smooth and glossy. It normally needs no more than an occasional once-over with a soft brush or grooming mitt, plus a bath when the dog is dirty. Use the same opportunity to check the nails, skin, ears and teeth so that small changes are noticed early.

The Swedish and international FCI standards recognise two colour varieties:

- solid deer red, reddish-brown or dark red-brown
- jet black with clearly defined red or rust-coloured tan markings

Brown, blue and other so-called special colours are not included in the Swedish FCI standard. If a puppy is advertised in an unusual colour, it is sensible to ask which country’s standard the breeder is referring to.

Because the Miniature Pinscher is both small and short-coated, it may need help keeping warm in Swedish winter weather. Adjust the length of the walk to the individual dog, keep it moving and use a well-fitting coat in cold weather if it becomes tense, lifts its paws, shivers or seeks warmth. Not every dog needs a coat at the same temperature.

## Temperament & Personality

The Miniature Pinscher is typically lively, spirited, self-assured and alert. It often wants to stay close to its family, learns quickly and notices small changes around it. These qualities can make the breed both enjoyable to train and demanding to live with: a dog that quickly discovers the right reward will also soon learn which noises, doors and movements make people react.

Its watchdog instinct should be taken seriously without being encouraged. A Miniature Pinscher may announce someone’s arrival, but in a home with neighbours the aim should be for the dog to register a noise and then settle again. Start early with calm practice around the doorbell, visitors and sounds in communal hallways. Reward quiet behaviour before barking has developed into a long sequence.

Swedish behaviour assessments give a more nuanced picture than labels such as ‘tough’ or ‘stubborn’. Results from BPH, Sweden’s Behaviour and Personality Assessment for Dogs, show curiosity, interest in food and interest in the dog’s own toy among the assessed population. Many of those dogs were less interested in greeting or playing with strangers than with people they knew. The results apply to the dogs that took part, not to every Miniature Pinscher. When choosing a puppy, the everyday behaviour of its parents and close relatives matters more than a general breed description.

Fear, aggression or constant stress should not be dismissed as the breed being a ‘big dog in a small body’. A sound Miniature Pinscher may have clear personal boundaries and be reserved, but it should be able to recover and cope with everyday life.

## Training & Exercise

The Miniature Pinscher needs physical exercise and mental tasks every day, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. Age, health, pace, terrain and what the dog gets to do matter more than a number. A relaxed sniffing walk, a few short training sessions and some play can offer more than an equally long but stressful outing with no chance to explore.

A good routine combines:

- walks that allow the dog to sniff and move through varied surroundings
- short sessions on engagement, walking with you, recall and lead manners
- scent games, problem-solving or tricks
- play with a clear beginning and end
- undisturbed rest and practice in settling down

Train kindly and consistently. Short sessions, clear tasks and rewards the dog genuinely values usually work better than nagging or harsh corrections. Build recall step by step on a long line, moving to more difficult surroundings only when the dog succeeds somewhere calm. Use a lead wherever traffic, open doors or a lack of fencing could turn one quick mistake into an accident.

Get the puppy used to nail trimming, mouth and tooth checks, a harness, a coat and being lifted safely. Include calm-time practice too. A dog that is given more fast-paced activity whenever it becomes overexcited does not automatically learn how to switch off.

## Health

The Miniature Pinscher is described as a relatively healthy breed, but puppy buyers in Sweden should pay particular attention to kneecaps, eyes and teeth. These are the priorities in the Swedish breed club’s breeding strategy adopted in 2025.

Patellar luxation means that the kneecap can move out of its normal position and may cause pain or lameness. The breed club recommends an official patellar examination, recorded as clear, for breeding dogs over twelve months old. Ask to see the result for both parents and check that it has been registered rather than relying on a verbal assurance.

An eye examination is recommended before breeding. The dog should be at least one year old at its first examination, and the result should ideally be no more than three years old at the time of mating. A finding must be assessed against the veterinary breeding advice, so ‘examined’ does not automatically mean ‘no findings’.

Dental health is a clear area for improvement. In the breed club’s health survey of 298 anonymous responses, 33 per cent reported tartar problems and 14 per cent reported periodontitis. Because these figures are based on owners’ own reports, they do not show how common the problems are across the whole breed. They do, however, show why dental care should not be treated as an afterthought. Brush the teeth, preferably every day, and introduce handling gradually. During the change of teeth at around five to six months, check that retained deciduous teeth are not affecting the adult bite.

Ask the breeder about health and longevity among close relatives, the family’s dental health, and whether the parents have completed BPH or MH, the Swedish mental assessment. No examination can guarantee a problem-free dog, but documented results make risk easier to judge.

## History & Origins

The Miniature Pinscher is a German pinscher breed with a history as a ratter and watchdog, not a smaller version of the Dobermann. Similarities in outline and black-and-red colouring have caused the misunderstanding, but the breed standard describes the Miniature Pinscher as a miniaturised image of the German Pinscher.

Small, smooth-coated pinscher types have deep roots in Germany. The organised development of the breed as we know it gathered pace in the 1870s, and the German pinscher club was founded in 1895. Miniature Pinschers were already numerous around 1900; the German stud book recorded about 1,300 individuals in 1925.

The first documented import to Sweden arrived in 1905. The breed is now chiefly a companion dog, but its history can still be seen in its vigilance, speed and readiness to investigate small movements in its surroundings.

## Living with the Breed

The Miniature Pinscher can live well in either a flat or a house, but its small size does not make daily life effortless. In a flat, training around noise, planned activity and the ability to settle are especially important. A garden may make toilet breaks easier, but it does not replace walks, exposure to different surroundings or time with the owner.

Being left alone is a trained skill and varies between individuals. A young puppy should not be left alone. Start only when the puppy feels secure in its new home, leave for a very short time and extend the period when it remains calm. An adult dog that has been trained gradually may cope with a few hours, but a full working day away from home requires another arrangement. Take the training back a step if the dog barks, howls, paces or shows other signs of distress.

The breed can be a good family dog when an adult guides interactions with children. A Miniature Pinscher is small enough to be hurt if it is dropped, stepped on or lifted incorrectly. Young children and dogs should always have an adult present, and the dog needs its own resting place where it will be left undisturbed. The child’s age matters less than the family’s ability to respect the dog’s signals.

Introductions to other dogs should be calm and controlled. Living with a cat depends on the individuals and the way they are introduced. Particular care is needed around rodents, birds and other very small animals because the breed’s background as a ratter remains relevant; do not leave them together without secure separation.

Before buying a puppy, look beyond the advert. Ask for registered patella and eye results, enquire about dental health and BPH or MH, and, if possible, meet the mother and other adult relatives. Ask the breeder how their dogs respond to visitors, noises and handling, and how readily they settle again. The best match is not necessarily the puppy that looks boldest for five minutes, but the one with a good chance of thriving in the life you can offer.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a small, square-built, muscular toy breed with a short, sleek, low-shedding coat and high-stepping gait. Energetic, bold, and alert, it’s an affectionate yet independent companion and effective little watchdog, thriving with active, engaged owners.

Geordani's

Miniature Bull Terrier

Norsk Kennel Klub (Norwegian Kennel Club)

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

Compact, muscular terrier with an egg-shaped head and triangular eyes. Bold, clownish and affectionate, with a strong will that needs consistent, positive training and early socialisation. Low-maintenance short coat, but demands daily exercise, mental stimulation and attentive health care.

Demonhunters

Katare's Mystery

## Quick Facts

The Great Dane (Grand danois) is a very large German breed now kept mainly as a companion. It combines power with an elegant build and, according to the breed standard, should be friendly, affectionate and confident. Its size affects every part of ownership: everyday manners, transport, housing, veterinary visits and costs all require more planning than they would with a smaller dog.

- **Country of origin:** Germany
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 2, Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
- **Purpose:** companion, guard and protection dog in the breed standard; now primarily a companion
- **Height at the withers:** dogs at least 80 cm and preferably no more than 90 cm; bitches at least 72 cm and preferably no more than 84 cm
- **Coat:** very short, dense, close-lying and glossy, with no undercoat
- **Temperament:** friendly, affectionate and devoted; may be reserved with strangers
- **Questions for the breeder:** ask about hip dysplasia results, heart examinations in the family and any history of gastric dilatation-volvulus

The breed standard does not set a weight range. Figures found in breed guides should therefore be treated as estimates rather than a substitute for assessing an individual dog's body condition, proportions and health.

## Appearance & Coat

The Great Dane is tall, powerful and almost square in outline, without appearing heavy or clumsy. Dogs should be especially close to square, while bitches may be slightly longer in body. The head is long and clearly defined, the natural ears hang down, and the overall impression should balance strength with elegance.

The current standard divides the colours into three varieties: fawn or brindle; harlequin, merle or black; and blue. Merle is therefore included in the present standard, although older breed descriptions do not always reflect this. Each colour has detailed requirements, but a puppy buyer should place health, temperament and sound construction above a particular marking.

The coat is easy to care for but not maintenance-free. A soft brush or rubber grooming mitt removes loose hair, particularly in spring and autumn when shedding is often more noticeable. Bathe the dog when it actually needs it and use the opportunity to check the skin, nails, feet, teeth and hanging ears. With no insulating undercoat, a Great Dane may need protection in cold, windy or wet weather. Judge this by the individual dog, its activity and the conditions rather than by a fixed temperature.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Great Dane should be friendly, affectionate, self-assured and willing to be guided. It may be reserved with strangers but should not be aggressive. Many people are drawn to the breed's close bond with its family, but the label “gentle giant” cannot guarantee how an individual dog will behave.

Size magnifies both good and bad habits. A dog that pulls on the lead, jumps up or charges towards a visitor is difficult to manage even when its intentions are friendly. Early work on calm greetings, loose-lead walking, recall, waiting and cooperative handling is therefore basic safety, not simply polished manners. Consistent, reward-based training suits the breed's intended willingness to cooperate. Harsh methods can create insecurity and do not make up for missing training.

Temperament varies between individuals and family lines. If possible, meet the puppy's mother and other close relatives, ask how they respond to strangers and unfamiliar settings, and request results from official behaviour assessments where available. Previous experience with dogs is useful, especially for anyone who has not trained a dog of this size before.

## Training & Exercise

A Great Dane needs daily physical activity and mental enrichment, but the amount should reflect age, health, fitness and recovery. There is no well-supported minute-by-minute formula that suits every adult or puppy. Regular walks, time to sniff and move over varied ground, and short training sessions provide a better foundation than occasional strenuous outings.

Puppies grow for a long time and should neither be overloaded nor kept inactive. Let them develop coordination and strength through free but supervised movement and gradually longer walks. While the body is developing, limit repeated jumping, sharp turns, long runs beside a bicycle or runner, and boisterous play on slippery floors. The appropriate rate of progression varies; consult a vet or canine physiotherapist if a puppy is lame, stiff or recovering poorly.

A giant-breed puppy needs a complete food formulated for the growth of large or giant breeds. The aim is steady growth and a lean, healthy body condition, not the fastest possible growth. Do not add calcium or other minerals to a complete diet unless advised by a vet. In giant breeds the skeleton may still be maturing at around 15–16 months, although the timing differs between individuals.

Prioritise skills that make the adult dog safe and manageable: standing still, stepping onto scales, accepting nail care and examination, giving up objects, and passing people and dogs without lunging. Scent work, practical obedience and problem-solving provide mental stimulation without placing the body under heavy strain.

## Health

Prospective owners should discuss several important health risks openly with the breeder, particularly gastric dilatation-volvulus, dilated cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia. Great Danes also have a shorter average lifespan than many smaller breeds. Longevity figures, however, describe a particular study population and cannot predict how long an individual dog will live.

**Gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, is an acute, life-threatening emergency.** Seek veterinary care immediately if the dog repeatedly tries to vomit without bringing anything up, becomes restless, drools, develops a swollen abdomen, grows weak or collapses. Do not wait to see whether the signs pass. GDV is multifactorial and not fully understood, so no feeding routine can promise to prevent it. Ask whether close relatives have been affected and decide in advance which emergency hospital can receive the dog. A prophylactic gastropexy can be discussed with a vet. It reduces the risk of the stomach twisting but does not stop the stomach from dilating.

**Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, may be present before the dog shows obvious signs.** An echocardiogram, ECG or ambulatory ECG, and sometimes blood biomarkers, may form part of a veterinary cardiac investigation. A normal result describes the dog at the time of examination; it is not a lifetime guarantee. Ask which heart examinations the parents and older relatives have had, how old they were when examined, and whether the family has a history of DCM or sudden death.

**Swedish hip dysplasia requirements are not the same as the breed club's recommendation.** For puppies to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have an official hip dysplasia result before mating; Great Danes can be officially radiographed from 18 months of age. The Swedish Kennel Club's general rules prohibit breeding from grade E dogs and allow a grade D dog only when paired with an A or B dog. Dogs with clinical signs of hip dysplasia must not be bred from. The Swedish Great Dane Club goes further and recommends that breeding dogs are hip dysplasia-free. Ask to see the actual results rather than accepting the description “health tested”.

The Swedish Kennel Club also notes tonsillitis in the breed. Assessments pay particular attention to loose eyelids, weak feet, the construction of the forequarters and hindquarters, exaggerated breed features and temperament. A responsible breeder should be able to explain both the strengths and the problems in the line, including how older relatives have fared.

## History & Origins

The Great Dane is a German breed, despite the English name and the French-derived name Grand danois used in Sweden and several other countries. In its country of origin it is called the Deutsche Dogge.

The official breed history describes predecessors including the Bullenbeisser and boar-hunting dogs of a type between the heavy mastiff and the faster sighthound. In Berlin in 1878, judges and breeders agreed to unite the different names under Deutsche Dogge. The first breed standard was established in 1880, and the German breed club was founded in 1888.

Organised breeding began in Sweden in 1908. Older accounts take the story much further back, but claims about Celtic war dogs or an unbroken line from antiquity are considerably harder to substantiate. The documented German milestones give a more reliable account of how the modern breed developed.

## Living with the Breed

A Great Dane can live in a flat if its needs for exercise, rest and training are met, but the home and daily routine must work for a giant dog. A house with a large garden does not replace walks or company, and a small home is not automatically unsuitable. The practical questions are more useful than a simple house-or-flat rule.

Is there room for a large, supportive bed where the dog can rest undisturbed? Are the floors non-slip? Will the dog fit safely in the car, and could it use a ramp when old or injured? If the lift breaks down, can daily life still work with the stairs? How would two adults take an ill dog to the vet if it could not walk? The answers reveal more than the address alone.

The breed can live in a family with children, but friendly intentions do not remove the physical risk created by its size. A young or excited Great Dane can knock over a small child accidentally. An adult should always supervise dogs with young children, and the dog needs a resting place where children leave it alone. An adult must take responsibility for walks and handling.

The same caution applies to other animals. No one can promise that a particular Great Dane will live safely with a cat or another dog. Make introductions gradually, prevent chasing and overly rough play, and give the cat dog-free spaces and high escape routes. Do not leave the animals alone together until their interactions are reliably calm and safe.

An adult dog that has been trained to be alone can often manage a few hours, but individuals differ greatly and a young puppy cannot be left alone. Begin once the puppy feels secure in its new home, increase the time gradually, and arrange a dog sitter or another solution if the working day is longer than the dog can manage. Distress in a giant dog can quickly affect the whole home, so time alone must be taught and monitored rather than assumed to come naturally to the breed.

Great Dane (Grand danois)

The Great Dane Club of Germany (Deutscher Doggen-Club 1888 e.V.)

The Great Dane Club of UK

The Danish Kennel Club (Dansk Kennel Klub)

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

The Great Dane (Grand danois) is a giant, elegant dog, among the tallest breeds. Once a boar‑hunting and estate guard dog, it is now a loyal, people‑oriented companion. Calm indoors with moderate exercise needs, it requires space, careful training, health care and close daily companionship.

Grandebyns

Skäggtorpets

## Quick Facts

The Pomeranian is the smallest variety of German Spitz: a very small but lively companion dog with a dense double coat, an alert nature and a readiness to bark. It is best suited to someone who wants to train and engage a real dog in a small body, rather than someone looking for a dog that will mainly be carried.

- **Breed and origin:** German Spitz, Pomeranian/Zwergspitz, originating in Germany and later developed in England
- **Size:** typically 18–23 cm at the withers and around 2–3 kg; the breed standard specifies 21 cm with permitted variation and says weight should be appropriate for the dog's size
- **Expected lifespan:** approximately 12–16 years is a guide, not a promise for an individual dog
- **Temperament:** often alert, cheerful, affectionate and quick to learn, although the individual, upbringing and daily life all have a major influence
- **Activity:** daily walks, scent work and short training sessions, with time for calm and recovery
- **Coat care:** a thorough groom approximately every other week and more often during shedding
- **Points to consider:** barking, dental care, patella status and safe handling around young children and much larger dogs

“Teacup Pomeranian” and “mini Pomeranian” are not separately recognised size varieties. They are marketing terms that offer no more reliable prediction of adult size, health or temperament. The official variety is called Pomeranian or Zwergspitz. Assess the parents, adult relatives, health information and the breeder's aims instead of relying on a sales label.

## Appearance & Coat

The Pomeranian is compact and squarely built, with a small, pointed head, small upright ears and a profuse tail carried high over the back. Its abundant coat gives it a rounder outline than the body underneath.

The breed has a double coat. The outer coat should be long, straight and standing away from the body, while the undercoat is short, dense and soft. The coat forms a distinct ruff around the neck, breeches on the hind legs and a bushy tail. The standard describes a natural coat that should not look shaped by trimming. Recognised colours include white, black, brown, orange and wolf grey, as well as several other defined colours and combinations.

A thorough groom approximately every other week is a useful starting point according to the Swedish Kennel Club, but many dogs need more frequent brushing while shedding. Work through the coat down to the skin rather than merely smoothing the surface. Increase care as soon as small tangles begin to form. Frequency should follow the dog's coat, the season and its daily routine; one fixed schedule will not suit every individual.

Coat quality matters more than maximum volume. A correct double coat contains both outer coat and undercoat. An abundance of undercoat combined with a lack of outer coat is a recognised problem in the breed and can make the coat difficult to manage. When meeting a breeder, it is therefore useful to see adult dogs, not only a puppy's soft puppy coat.

## Temperament & Personality

Pomeranians are often alert, lively and strongly attached to their people. The breed standard describes a cheerful, affectionate and trainable dog without a pronounced hunting instinct, but this is a breeding ideal, not a guarantee of how every individual will behave with strangers, children or other animals.

The Spitz's watchfulness means it may react quickly to sounds, movement outside a window or someone arriving at the door. Barking has its roots in the breed's alarm role. The aim need not be a dog that never announces anything, but one that can stop, seek guidance from its handler and settle again. Limit opportunities to rehearse long bouts of barking, reward pauses and practise a calm routine around recurring triggers.

Socialisation is valuable but does not promise a particular temperament. Let the puppy meet people, environments and steady dogs at a pace at which it can still think, make contact and recover. More exposure is not necessarily better if the dog feels overwhelmed.

A BPH behavioural assessment can show how the dog being assessed reacted during standardised exercises, but the result is not a pass or fail and does not predict everything. The available Pomeranian data are also limited. Consider any BPH result alongside the parents' everyday behaviour and what the breeder can tell you about adult relatives.

## Training & Exercise

A Pomeranian needs physical and mental activity every day, but there is no universal number of minutes that suits every dog. A sound routine combines walks at the dog's pace with scent work, cooperation, play and undisturbed rest. Judge the balance by the dog's body condition, movement, concentration and ability to settle, not only by the distance covered.

The breed may enjoy nosework, rally obedience and agility when the tasks and setting are adapted to the dog's size and experience. Loose-lead work, recall, tricks and searching for food or objects can also provide worthwhile engagement. Let the dog's interest determine the length of each session rather than following a fixed five- or ten-minute schedule.

Reward-based training helps the dog understand what pays off without making it more uncertain. Prioritise the following early on:

- calm handling of paws, mouth and coat
- attention and recall even when something moves or makes a sound
- being able to withdraw and rest
- a learned pause after the dog has noticed a sound
- confidence on different surfaces and during everyday travel

The small body calls for safety, not inactivity. Pick the dog up when a situation presents a genuine risk, but also let it walk, sniff and solve simple tasks independently. Prevent falls from furniture or people's arms and stop rough play with much larger dogs before the difference in size becomes a problem.

## Health

When buying a puppy in Sweden, the parents' registered patella status, information about teeth and bite, and any coat problems in adult relatives are particularly useful. Identified dogs, registered results and open answers tell you more than a long list of possible diseases.

Patellar luxation occurs in Pomeranians and other small dog breeds. In Sweden, patella examination is not a compulsory health programme for the breed, but the Swedish Pomeranian breed club recommends examining breeding dogs. The club recommends that dogs graded 2 or 3 are not used for breeding and that grade 1 is only paired with grade 0. This is a breeding recommendation, not a guarantee of a puppy's future health.

Ask for the parents' registered names or registration numbers and check the results in the Swedish Kennel Club's Hunddata or Avelsdata databases. Verify the dog's identity, examination date and status for both parents. The statement “the parents have been tested” is not sufficient if the identity and result cannot be traced.

Hair loss is sometimes described as “black skin disease”, BSD or alopecia X. The breed's current Swedish breeding strategy stresses that BSD is neither a disease in itself nor a scientific diagnostic term, but an informal umbrella term for several conditions that can cause coat loss. Unexplained hair loss therefore needs veterinary assessment. Ask how the coats of the parents and older relatives developed, but do not demand definite assurances about inheritance when the causes are unclear.

Teeth, jaws and bite are also important in the breed. Accustom the puppy to having its mouth examined and start toothbrushing early; ideally, the teeth should be brushed daily. Seek help if the dog is in pain, has difficulty eating or if its bite appears to injure soft tissue in the mouth.

## History & Origins

The Pomeranian originated in Germany and belongs to the German Spitz family. Zwergspitz means Dwarf Spitz, while Pomeranian is the internationally familiar name for the same official size variety.

The breed's modern type was developed further in England. The Pomeranian Club was formed there in 1891 and an early breed standard was produced. Its documented history is therefore best summarised as a German Spitz background with important further development in England, rather than an unbroken, certain story about one particular prehistoric type of dog.

The breed's former alarm role helps explain its present-day watchfulness and tendency to bark. Today the Pomeranian is kept primarily as a companion, but it retains the Spitz's alertness and often enjoys tasks that involve cooperation and using its nose.

## Living with the Breed

A Pomeranian can live successfully with children, other animals and in a flat, but only when the adults adapt the environment to a very small, alert dog. Neither the breed name nor early socialisation makes interactions automatically safe.

Young children and dogs should always have an adult close by. The child should sit down for contact, allow the dog to leave and never carry it without help. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place. A Pomeranian is not a toy, and a fall from someone's arms or high furniture can have serious consequences even though the breed is lively and robust for its size.

With other dogs, controlled meetings matter more than numerous meetings. Choose calm individuals, practise calm contact at a distance and interrupt uneven physical play. Introduce a cat gradually, preferably beginning with scent and a barrier. The cat must have its own escape route, and chasing must not become a rehearsed behaviour. Do not leave the animals alone together until their interactions are stable.

Living in a flat can work when the dog receives activity outdoors and can relax indoors. The central issue is often noise rather than floor space. In a building where sound travels, the owner needs to prevent window and door guarding, practise calm routines and take the impact on neighbours seriously.

Pomeranians are often described as strongly attached to their people and should learn to be alone gradually. A puppy cannot be left alone from the outset. Begin with very short periods in a safe setting and increase them only while the dog remains calm. If it begins to bark persistently, pace, scratch or cannot settle, the exercise has become too difficult and needs to be simplified.

Before buying a puppy, check more than colour and a promised adult weight:

- meet the dam and, if possible, other adult relatives
- ask how they behave around sounds, strangers, handling and rest
- verify the identity and patella result of both parents
- ask about teeth, bite and lasting coat loss in the family
- ask the breeder to explain the aim of the mating and how previous offspring have developed
- reject sales claims that present “teacup” or “mini” as a health guarantee

A good match is a Pomeranian whose likely temperament and care needs suit your daily life, from a breeder who provides documentation, knows their adult dogs and can speak as openly about variation and risks as about the breed's charm.

Pomeranian

Deutscher Spitz Club (Germany)

Tiny, fox‑like Spitz with a fluffy double coat in many colors. Weighing 2–3.5 kg, Pomeranians are lively, alert, people‑focused companions and good watchdogs. They need regular grooming, gentle positive training, daily walks, mental games, dental care and protection of their small joints.

Pomsik Rakaaig

## Quick Facts

The Flat Coated Retriever is a recognised British retrieving gundog in FCI group 8. The breed was developed to search for and retrieve shot game on land and in water, so cooperation, the desire to retrieve and the ability to work in varied terrain are central traits – including in dogs that live mainly as companions.

- The preferred height is 58–61 cm for males and 56–58 cm for females.
- The preferred weight in good condition is 27–36 kg for males and 25–32 kg for females. These figures describe the breed standard's ideal, not what every adult dog will weigh or measure.
- The accepted colours are black and liver.
- The breed ideal is a positive, friendly, alert and responsive dog. Energy, intensity and the ability to settle vary between individuals and families.
- A Flat Coated Retriever needs physical activity, scent work, problem-solving and cooperation every day. Long walks alone do not replace meaningful tasks.
- Tumours are an important health concern in the breed. No single test can show that a puppy or breeding line is free from future cancer risk.

## Appearance & Coat

A Flat Coated Retriever should be powerful without being cumbersome and racy without looking slight. Functional balance matters more than heavy bone, an excessive coat or a high body weight. Movement should be free, flowing and true when viewed from the front and rear.

The head is long and well moulded, with a flat, moderately broad skull and only a slight stop. The jaws should be long and strong enough for retrieving work. The body has a deep, fairly broad chest and a short, strong loin. The tail is carried gaily but not much above the level of the back.

The coat is dense, fine to medium in texture and as flat as possible. The legs and tail have clear feathering when the dog is fully mature. Only black and liver are included in the standard; yellow does occur but is not an accepted show colour.

Coat care should follow the dog's actual coat and way of life, not a fixed calendar. Comb down to the skin and pay particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits and through the feathering. After swimming or working in water and dense cover, dry the dog and check for tangles, irritated skin, seeds, small wounds and damaged pads. Keep the ears dry and check them if there is an odour, redness or itching. Trimming can keep the feet and feathering functional, but the coat should not be shaped into a heavy or exaggerated outline.

## Temperament & Personality

A Flat Coated Retriever should be confident, positive, friendly, alert and responsive, but the breed standard is a breeding ideal – not a guarantee for every individual. A puppy buyer should therefore assess the parents, adult relatives and how the breeder follows the dogs' everyday behaviour, rather than accepting that the breed is simply cheerful.

In the Swedish Kennel Club's BPH analysis of 209 Swedish-born dogs, the breed was generally perceived as confident, energetic, curious, playful and sociable. The same analysis stresses variation within the breed and notes that high curiosity and quick reactions may also be linked to difficulty settling. The material is a description of participating dogs, not a prediction for a puppy. Look for both a willingness to work and the ability to recover: can the adult dogs greet people without losing all self-control, accept handling calmly and rest when nothing is happening?

The breed is often sociable, but suitability with children, dogs or cats should never be assumed from the breed name. A strong, enthusiastic dog can knock over a small child without intending harm. A responsible adult should always be present with a young child and dog, and the dog needs an undisturbed place to rest. Introductions to dogs and cats should be gradual. Previous experience, interest in chasing and the ability to disengage on cue matter more than a general breed description.

## Training & Exercise

A Flat Coated Retriever needs to use both body and mind every day, but there is no credible universal quota in minutes or hours. The right level depends on age, health, fitness, the intensity of the activity and how the dog recovers. A good day combines movement, scent work, retrieving, cooperation and undisturbed rest.

Retrieving and searching often provide more than simply extending a walk. Dummies, simple marked retrieves, close searches, tracking, gundog training or the Swedish Funktionsbeskrivning Retriever assessment can provide outlets for the traits the breed was developed to use. Field trials and practical hunting suit owners who want to develop the work further, but every owner can build everyday tasks in which the dog searches, carries, delivers and waits for a cue.

Reward-based, progressive training suits a quick and cooperative retriever. Prioritise these skills early:

- engagement and loose-lead walking before the dog reaches full strength;
- recall and stopping even when something moves or smells exciting;
- calm greetings with all four paws on the ground;
- carrying and releasing objects without conflict;
- steadiness, settling and the ability to come down after activity;
- cooperative handling of paws, ears, mouth and coat.

Water work can be a useful outlet, but an interest in water is not the same as knowing how to swim. Start in shallow water, show the dog a safe way out, avoid fast-flowing or very cold water and never leave the dog unsupervised. Growing dogs need varied loads built up gradually; repeated sharp stops, high jumps and one-sided ball throwing are not a shortcut to good fitness.

## Health

Tumours are the most important breed-specific health issue for a puppy buyer to understand. The Swedish Kennel Club and the breed club describe an overrepresentation of several tumour types, and the Flat Coated Retriever has a documented predisposition to histiocytic sarcoma, among other conditions. This does not mean that every dog will become ill, but the risk cannot be dismissed because of a DNA test, a normal veterinary certificate or young, healthy parents.

Ask for the ages and causes of death of parents, grandparents, full and half-siblings and dogs from previous litters. Ask which diagnoses were confirmed by a vet and how the breeder uses information about older relatives. In your own dog, a new or growing lump, persistent lameness, unexplained weight loss or a clear change in appetite and energy should be assessed by a vet. These signs have many possible causes and should not be self-diagnosed as cancer.

For offspring to be registered in Sweden, the Swedish Kennel Club requires both parents to have an official hip status before mating. A known status means that a result exists – not automatically that the hips are graded A or B. Check the actual grade and the results of close relatives. Elbow screening is an important check that the breed club would like to see in more dogs, but it is not a separate registration requirement for the breed under the 2026 rules.

Eye screening is not a formal Swedish Kennel Club requirement for the breed either. The current recommendation from the Swedish Flatcoated Retriever Club is for breeding dogs to have an eye certificate no more than two years old at the time of mating. The club also recommends gonioscopy where possible and avoiding a mating that doubles a known degree of pectinate ligament dysplasia, PLD. Ask to see the date, diagnoses and complete result – the words 'eye tested' are not enough.

Renal dysplasia, RD, occurs in a small number of serious cases. There is no validated DNA test for RD in the Flat Coated Retriever, so a commercial test result should not be used as proof that a dog or mating is clear. A known diagnosis in close relatives and the breeder's openness are more relevant here.

## History & Origins

The Flat Coated Retriever was developed in Great Britain as a retrieving gundog for work after the shot. Its task was to search for and retrieve shot birds and small game on land and in water, which explains the breed's combination of scenting ability, cooperation, carrying and sustained movement.

The FCI recognised the breed definitively in 1954 and places it among the retrievers that are subject to a working trial. The Flat Coated Retriever arrived in Sweden in the 1960s. Precise accounts of which types of dog were crossed at each stage of its development vary between historical sources; the secure and practically important point is that the modern breed should still function as a retriever, rather than merely have a retriever-like appearance.

## Living with the Breed

The Flat Coated Retriever is best suited to someone who wants to live with an active working retriever and who also intends to train calm behaviour. The breed can suit a committed first-time owner, but it is not automatically easy: its size, speed and exuberant greetings require planning, and the need for cooperation continues throughout life.

Flat living can work if going outside is straightforward, the dog receives meaningful activity and the household trains for noise, greetings in shared spaces and rest. A garden does not replace walks or shared work. Time alone must be built gradually from short, secure periods; a young puppy cannot be left alone, and adult dogs vary in what they can manage. If the working day regularly involves a long absence, a reliable plan for company and exercise is needed before buying the dog.

Before choosing a puppy, you should be able to get clear answers to these questions:

- What are the parents used for, and how do they behave during activity, handling and rest?
- What official hip grade does each parent have, and are there elbow results and a history of joint health in close relatives?
- When was the latest eye examination, what did the full certificate show, and are gonioscopy results available?
- How old were close relatives when they died, what were the causes, and which tumour diagnoses or RD cases are known?
- How does the breeder follow the health, temperament and working ability of previous litters over time?

The right home gains a willing, sociable and versatile working dog. A mismatch often occurs when the friendly breed ideal is taken to mean that the dog will cope with children, other animals, long days alone and a life without real tasks by itself.

Flat Coated Retriever

The Flatcoated Retriever Society of Great Britain

The Swedish Kennel Club (Svenska Kennelklubben)

The Norwegian Kennel Club (Norsk Kennel Klub)

The Kennel Club (United Kingdom)

Flat Coated Retrievers are medium‑large, athletic gundogs with sleek black or liver coats and friendly, puppy‑like attitudes. Energetic, people‑oriented, and highly trainable, they need plenty of exercise, positive training, close family life, and attentive health care.

Caci's

## Quick Facts

The Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States as a herding and working dog and suits people who want to train and work with their dog every day. It is quick, responsive and versatile, but its working drive and guarding and herding instincts mean it is rarely suited to someone primarily looking for an undemanding companion.

- The breed belongs to FCI Group 1 and was developed to work sheep and cattle on farms and ranches.
- Desirable height at the withers is 51–58 cm for males and 46–53 cm for females. The breed standard gives no ideal weight.
- The coat is medium-length, weather-resistant and has an undercoat. The base colours are blue merle, black, red merle and red, with or without white markings and tan points.
- The tail may be naturally long or short. Tail docking is prohibited in Sweden.
- An Australian Shepherd needs daily physical activity, problem-solving, co-operation and opportunities to settle.
- For Swedish breeding dogs, official hip dysplasia (HD) status and known mental status through an MH assessment are key checks. MH records reactions; it is not a pass-or-fail test.

## Appearance & Coat

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, well-balanced and mobile dog that should be slightly longer than tall. It should be muscular and solid without becoming heavy or clumsy, because its construction must allow quick changes of direction and sustained work. The standard specifies desirable height but no ideal weight. Assess an adult by its proportions, body condition, movement and function rather than relying on a weight range said to come from the standard.

The coat is straight to wavy, medium-length and weather-resistant. The amount of undercoat varies with factors including climate and season. A correct coat needs regular combing and closer checks during shedding, but not an identical weekly schedule for every dog. Feel through the coat to the skin and pay particular attention to areas where friction can easily cause tangles, such as behind the ears and in the feathering. Check the skin, paws and nails at the same time after work in woodland or rough ground.

The four base colours are blue merle, black, red merle and red. All may occur with or without white markings and tan points. Eyes may be brown, blue or amber, including combinations, flecks and marbling. Different-coloured eyes are therefore permitted and, by themselves, say nothing about the dog's temperament.

The tail may be naturally long or naturally short. The latter is often called NBT, natural bobtail, and must not be confused with a docked tail. The Swedish Kennel Club registers the breed with a tail designation showing whether the dog has a full-length tail, a bobtail, a tail shorter than normal, no tail or a docked tail. For a puppy buyer, the registration entry is better evidence than guessing from a photograph.

## Temperament & Personality

According to the breed standard, the Australian Shepherd should be an intelligent working dog with strong herding and guarding instincts, an even disposition and a good-natured manner. It may be reserved when first meeting strangers, but breed-typical neutrality is not the same as fear or aggression. The Swedish Australian Shepherd Club therefore emphasises that neutral is a clearer term than reserved.

There is considerable variation between individuals and families. Some dogs work very intensely in relation to people and their surroundings, while others are more balanced in everyday life; the strength of herding, guarding, sound reactions and social interest can also differ. Labels such as working line or show line are not enough to predict a puppy's temperament. Look instead at the parents, mature close relatives, the breeder's goals, working records and documented mental assessments.

As a herding dog, the breed uses its body and movement to control livestock. This can produce a strong interest in things that move. In daily life, a dog may want to follow, stop or control running children, bicycles, joggers or other animals. This is a possible breed trait, not something every Australian Shepherd does and not an excuse to let the behaviour continue. Distance, a lead or barrier, a trained alternative and rewards for checking in make the situation safer while the skill is being taught.

MH is particularly useful when comparing breeding dogs and relatives. The assessment records how a dog reacted to contact, handling, play, surprises, noise and gunshots, among other things. It cannot on its own predict how a puppy will develop, and it does not measure the whole of working ability. Read the full record and ask how the dog behaves and recovers in ordinary environments.

## Training & Exercise

An Australian Shepherd needs both movement and tasks involving scent work, problem-solving and co-operation every day, but a fixed number of hours does not describe what an individual dog needs. A calm woodland walk, tracking or searching, everyday obedience, herding, working trials, agility and other well-planned training place different demands on the dog. Adapt volume and intensity to age, health, previous conditioning and recovery.

A manageable daily life requires more than making the dog physically tired. Prioritise the following from an early age:

- engagement and responsiveness even when something is moving nearby,
- recall, first practised in an easy setting and secured with a long line when needed,
- loose-lead walking, handling and the ability to wait,
- a clear transition between activity and calm,
- the ability to disengage from following or controlling children, vehicles and animals.

Training should be reward-based, progressive and adapted to the individual. The breed often learns quickly, which also means accidentally rewarded habits can become established quickly. Make the desired behaviour easy to choose, increase difficulty gradually and do not use fear, threats or physical punishment.

Puppies and young dogs need movement, environmental experience, rest and short learning sessions, not an adult dog's workload or an exercise schedule based on a fixed number of minutes. The aim is a dog that can work with commitment, remain responsive and then settle. If activity increases while the dog finds it harder to sleep, relax or cope with everyday stimuli, the plan needs reviewing rather than simply adding more speed.

## Health

For a Swedish puppy buyer, the crucial distinction is between binding registration rules, breed-club recommendations and optional DNA tests. Under the current Swedish Kennel Club rules, official hip dysplasia status is required before mating and, for resident Swedish breeding dogs covered by the rules, known mental status through a complete MH assessment is also required. Known status does not automatically mean a good hip result or a desirable mental profile; check the actual result.

In its breed-specific breeding strategy, SASK generally recommends hip grades A or B and an eye examination for breeding dogs. The club also highlights the value of checking hip results in close relatives because the breed has no hip index. Elbow dysplasia (ED) screening is voluntary and is not a specific registration requirement for the breed. Ask the breeder to show what was actually examined, on which dog, on what date and with what result rather than accepting the phrase health tested.

DNA tests are available for CEA, HSF4 and MDR1, among others, but SASK does not prescribe one universal panel for every mating. Each test concerns a particular gene or risk variant. A clear HSF4 result, for example, does not rule out every form of cataract and does not replace a clinical eye examination. Relevant tests are selected according to documented risks in the family and the planned mating.

MDR1, also called ABCB1, can affect how certain medicines are distributed in the body and reach the brain. An individual dog's status cannot be determined from its appearance. If the dog has been tested, the result should be recorded in its veterinary notes; medicine selection and dosage always belong with the veterinarian.

Two merle dogs should not be mated. The combination can produce puppies with two copies of the merle variant and an increased risk of deafness and visual or eye abnormalities. The naturally short NBT tail has a different genetic basis. SASK recommends caution with matings in which both parents carry the NBT variant as well, but the two issues should not be confused.

## History & Origins

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd as it is known today was developed in the United States. The FCI standard links the name to Basque shepherds who came to the United States from Australia during the nineteenth century. The precise contribution of older herding dogs is less certain, so a detailed account of a fixed breed recipe should be treated as theory.

American sheep and cattle farmers continued selecting dogs for versatility, independent work, intelligence and herding ability. After the Second World War, awareness of the breed grew as Western riding, rodeos, horse shows, films and television reached a wider audience. The modern breed's American ranch background explains both the paradox in its name and why function remains central to its description.

## Living with the Breed

The Australian Shepherd is best suited to a routine that includes planned activity, learning and recovery even during ordinary working weeks. A large garden does not replace shared tasks, and competition ambitions are unnecessary if the dog still has a meaningful and varied life. Anyone wanting a dog that mainly joins shorter walks should choose a less demanding type.

With children, an adult should always be present, the dog needs an undisturbed resting place and the household needs a plan for high-energy play. Interrupt and create distance before the dog begins to fixate on or control movement. Children should not be responsible for situations in which a quick, strong dog may react to its surroundings.

Living with dogs or cats depends on the individuals and the introduction, not the breed name. Find out about the parents' and the particular dog's history. Begin calmly with separate safe spaces, a barrier and a lead, give the cat an unobstructed escape route and progress only when both animals can remain relaxed. Small pets may require permanent physical separation.

The breed can live in a flat if it gets enough time outdoors, meaningful tasks and rest, and the owner can manage reactions to noise. In a building with poor sound insulation, owners need to prevent noises in shared areas from prompting the dog to guard and bark. Time alone should be trained gradually and judged by the individual dog's behaviour. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's advice to take a dog out at least every six hours during the day is an outing guideline, not a measure of how long an individual is comfortable being alone.

Before buying a puppy, ask for the parents' registration numbers, hip results, full MH records, dates and results of eye examinations, and relevant DNA results. Also check the tail designation and working achievements, and ask how mature close relatives behave around people, noise, movement, rest and recovery. Those details say more about what daily life with the dog is likely to be like than colour, eyes or whether the breeder calls the dogs working-line or show-line.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a medium, athletic herding dog, highly intelligent and energetic. Loyal and people oriented, it bonds closely and needs substantial daily exercise, training, and mental work. Its striking, weather resistant coat and varied eye colors add to its appeal.

Aussie Kullens

## Quick facts

The Sloughi is a North African sighthound whose country of origin is Morocco, according to the breed standard. It combines a lean, athletic body with a strong prey drive and a close bond with its people. At home, it can be quiet and affectionate, but outdoors, the sight of a fleeing animal can quickly bring out a very different level of energy. Carefully planned opportunities for safe exercise are therefore central to life with this breed.

- **Size:** males stand 66–72 cm at the withers and females 61–68 cm, according to the FCI breed standard.
- **Activity level:** high exercise needs, with daily walks and regular opportunities to run in a securely enclosed area.
- **Grooming:** minimal. The short coat can be maintained with a soft brush or grooming mitt about once a week, with baths as needed.
- **Life expectancy:** around 10–15 years according to the AKC, as a broad guide for the breed.
- **Best suited to:** an owner who appreciates a sighthound’s independence and can provide companionship, gentle training and safe opportunities to run.

It is easy to fall for the Sloughi’s elegance, but choose the breed based on how well its needs fit your everyday life. Think about where your dog will be able to stretch its legs, how you will manage working days and how you want to approach training. Try to meet adult dogs and ask their owners how they handle prey drive, visitors and time alone in practice. This will give you a more useful picture than meeting only a litter of puppies.

## Appearance and coat

The Sloughi is long-legged, muscular and clearly built for movement. Its body is slightly taller than it is long, with a tucked-up belly and a long, slender tail carried low, with a curved tip when at rest. The head is elongated and wedge-shaped, and the eyes are large and usually dark. The triangular ears hang close to the head, contributing to the breed’s gentle, serious expression.

A Sloughi should have a lean, fit body with visible muscle definition and bone structure. This is a functional sighthound, and its elegance should be balanced by strength and sound proportions. The hip bones may be visible without the dog being underweight, but body condition must be assessed individually. Ask a vet for help if you are unsure about your dog’s weight, muscle development or a change in its body.

The coat is very short, dense and fine. Colours range from light sand to red sand, with or without a black mask, black mantle, black-tipped hairs or black brindle markings. There is no long feathering, and the coat needs no elaborate trimming. Gentle brushing with a soft brush helps keep it clean and provides an opportunity to spot changes in the skin.

Make paw, nail, ear and dental care part of the routine too. Get your puppy used to short, calm handling sessions and gradually build up what it is comfortable with. Brush the teeth regularly, ideally every day, and check the ears without cleaning them unnecessarily. An unpleasant smell, repeated head shaking or tenderness should be assessed by a vet. An easy-care coat does not make other aspects of care any less important.

## Temperament and personality

The Sloughi is described as dignified, alert and strongly attached to its family. Many are somewhat reserved with strangers and prefer to decide for themselves when they are comfortable making contact. Ask visitors to give the dog space to approach at its own pace. Being reserved does not mean a dog needs to greet everyone; the aim is for it to feel secure in ordinary everyday situations.

Early, positive experiences with people, environments and handling are therefore important. Adapt encounters to your puppy’s reactions and allow time to recover. The breed club’s breeding strategy distinguishes between the breed’s natural reserve and excessive fear or aggression. Ask the breeder how adult relatives respond to strangers, new places and everyday surprises, and how the puppies gain social experience before going to their new homes.

Prey drive is another fundamental trait. The Sloughi hunts by sight, can detect movement far away and may decide independently to give chase. This affects both walks and the choice of playmates. A dog that is calm at home can become very intense when its hunting instinct is triggered. Plan for a safe environment even when everyday training is going well, particularly around small animals and fast-running dogs.

## Training and exercise

The Sloughi needs daily exercise and regular opportunities to use its speed in a secure enclosure. Combine walks with other activities your dog enjoys and can do without overexertion. Age, health and fitness determine how much is appropriate. Puppies need shorter activities with breaks, while a healthy adult dog can gradually build greater endurance. Ask your breeder or vet for advice when planning exercise.

Lure coursing, in which the dog follows an artificial lure, can provide an outlet for the breed’s hunting abilities. The Sloughi uses its eyesight, adjusts its speed and may try to anticipate the prey’s direction rather than following its exact path. Scent work and blood tracking can also add variety. Contact a sighthound club for a suitable introduction to running activities, and choose activities to suit your dog’s abilities and interests.

Use rewards, clear cues and patience in training. The Sloughi is sensitive to harsh training methods, and a trusting partnership needs to be built gradually. Spend time on recall, calm encounters with other dogs and learning to disengage from distractions. Start with easy situations and reward your dog for checking in with you. Recall is valuable, but it should be combined with a lead and secure fencing wherever prey drive could otherwise lead your dog away.

## Health

The Sloughi is generally described as a healthy breed, but tumours and immune-mediated diseases do occur. The available information does not provide a reliable measure of the risk to an individual dog. Ask the breeder about both parents and older relatives, their lifespans and any recurring diagnoses. The American breed club emphasises openness about health as an important part of breeding.

The inherited retinal disease PRA is an important topic to discuss before buying a puppy. The AKC lists an eye examination and a DNA test for the Sloughi form, PRA-rcd1a, as health checks recommended by the American breed club. Ask to see which test was performed, the result and which dog the certificate relates to. A DNA test covers a specific disease variant; it does not replace a clinical eye examination or guarantee the dog’s overall health.

The Swedish breed-specific breeding strategy document, known as RAS, linked to by the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK), was approved in 2020. It discusses PRA as well as reported cases of immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) and steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA). This is historical background, not current disease prevalence data. Ask the breed club about more recent follow-up information and the breeder about health in the particular family line. Also distinguish between recommended examinations and the registration requirements in force when the litter is planned.

Monitor your dog’s body condition, movement, appetite and energy over time, and seek veterinary advice if anything changes noticeably. A lean build alone does not tell you how a dog is feeling. Adjust food and exercise to its life stage and health, and include training treats in its daily food allowance. Bring records of previous health problems and examinations to veterinary appointments so that the assessment can be based on your individual dog.

## History and origins

The Sloughi has a long history in North Africa, particularly in the Maghreb region, which includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. These dogs have been used for hunting, where sight, speed and endurance were essential. They have lived closely alongside people in both mountainous areas and more open landscapes. The FCI lists Morocco as the breed’s country of origin and the country responsible for its standard.

The breed reached Europe in the late 19th century, and European breeding programmes were later developed using dogs from North Africa. Today, the Sloughi is also kept as a companion and sporting dog, but its background as an independent hunter remains clear. It should not be confused with the Saluki or Azawakh, which are separate breeds. Resemblances to very old depictions of dogs cannot, on their own, establish the exact age or origins of the modern breed.

## Living with the breed

Life with a Sloughi suits someone who enjoys both quiet companionship and a dog with a mind of its own. Provide a comfortable resting place where your dog can retreat, and organise your days to make room for companionship, activity and rest. Calm behaviour indoors needs to be considered alongside how well the dog’s other needs are being met. It does not, by itself, indicate how much exercise or company the dog needs.

In a family with children, adults must take responsibility for interactions. Introduce the dog gently to children and teach them to respect its space and resting place. Young children and dogs should always have an adult present. Ask specifically how the dog you are considering, or its close relatives, behaves around children, as experience and individual temperament matter more than a general breed description.

Other dogs can become good companions, but introductions and play need to be tailored to the individuals involved. The strong prey drive calls for particular care around cats, small pets and very small dogs in motion. Do not assume that one calm meeting means all future interactions will be safe. Use distance, a lead or separation when needed, and plan household routines before a new animal moves in.

Your living arrangements need to work alongside daily walks and opportunities to run. Check access to secure enclosures before making a decision, and inspect fences and gates wherever your dog will be off lead. The very short coat offers limited protection from the weather. A warm dog coat may be needed in cold or wet conditions; adjust time outdoors to the weather, the activity and your dog’s response. Make sure it can come inside to rest somewhere warm and dry.

Time alone should be introduced gradually, with your dog’s sense of security in mind. The Sloughi forms strong bonds with its family, and Swedish breed documentation includes reports of difficulties with being left alone. Begin with short, uneventful periods and increase them only when your dog is relaxed. Arrange care if your working day requires more time alone than your dog can manage, and seek support early if training is not progressing.

Before buying, it is wise to review both the practical arrangements and the available records: where your dog will run, how daily companionship will be provided and what health information is available for its family line. Ask to meet adult dogs and discuss the breeder’s priorities. If you respect the breed’s independent nature and can meet its exercise needs, the Sloughi has every opportunity to become a close and valued companion.

Sloughi

An elegant, long-legged sighthound from North Africa with a short coat, a gentle expression, and a strong prey drive. The Sloughi is often calm and affectionate with family but reserved around strangers. It needs daily walks, regular opportunities to run in a securely enclosed area, and gentle training. Close companionship, early socialization, and a warm place to rest are important parts of its daily life.

Ghazoot

## Quick facts

The French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type is known in Sweden as braque francais, type pyrénées. This medium-sized pointing dog from France is valued for its sociable nature and willingness to work closely with its handler when hunting. It is smaller and lighter than the Gascony type, but still has a strong need to work. Its friendly temperament and easy-care coat therefore need to be matched with an active lifestyle.

- **Size:** under the 2023 FCI standard, males stand 51–58 cm at the withers and females 49–56 cm. The dog should be muscular and agile without being heavy.
- **Activity level:** high. The breed needs daily exercise, mental stimulation and opportunities to use its gundog abilities.
- **Grooming:** a very low-maintenance, short, fine coat. Regular brushing and bathing when needed are usually enough; ears, nails and teeth also need care.
- **Life expectancy:** the AKC gives approximately 12–15 years as a general guide. This is not a guarantee for any individual dog.
- **Best suited to:** an active hunter or owner who wants to develop a close working partnership and has a clear plan for hunting training, retrieving and other meaningful activities.

Start by telling the breeder what you want to do with your dog. Ask how the adult dogs work, what they are like at home, and what hunting test and health screening results are available. The breed’s reputation for being cooperative does not replace the need to choose an individual dog and a breeder suited to your circumstances.

## Appearance and coat

The French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type is a well-proportioned gundog with clearly defined muscles and a light, functional build. Its skin is tighter than that of the larger Gascony type, and it has little or no dewlap. The nose is chestnut brown. The eyes are brown or dark yellow, and the drop ears are set above eye level and do not quite reach the tip of the nose.

Under the current FCI standard, males stand 51–58 cm at the withers and females 49–56 cm. Coat colours include chestnut brown, brown and white, heavily ticked brown and white, or brown with tan markings. The tail is fine, and dogs may have either a long tail or a naturally shorter one. Size and markings, however, do not tell you how a particular puppy will perform in the field.

The coat is shorter and finer than that of the Gascony type and requires little maintenance. Brush it regularly to remove loose hair and dirt, and bathe the dog when necessary. The AKC suggests a regular weekly grooming routine. Check the skin at the same time, especially after working in dense vegetation, where small wounds or foreign material can easily go unnoticed.

Get your puppy used to calm handling of the ears, paws and mouth from the start. Short sessions that reward cooperation make routine care easier. Check the body after outings, keep the nails at a suitable length and make toothbrushing a habit. Ask the breeder to show you how to examine the ears without irritating the skin or making the experience uncomfortable.

## Temperament and personality

The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) describes the breed as friendly, easy-going and sociable, while the AKC highlights its eagerness to please. It may enjoy both being close to its family and working alongside them. This makes it appealing to anyone looking to build a close working partnership, but it does not mean that every dog will respond in the same way to people, other dogs or unfamiliar situations. If possible, meet adult relatives and ask about their everyday lives.

A pointing dog’s job requires both initiative and cooperation. It needs to use its nose and search for game while maintaining contact with its handler. Spend time developing clear communication and rewarding the behaviours you want to encourage. Even a quick learner needs experience and guidance to understand what is expected in different settings.

Give your puppy positive experiences with people, other dogs and everyday situations at a pace it can handle. Although the breed is described as sociable, calm introductions and the option to retreat are still important. Also ask whether the breeder uses behavioural assessments such as BPH to complement their knowledge of the dogs. Any result should be considered alongside the individual dog’s experience and behaviour at home and at work.

## Training and exercise

Approach this breed as a working pointing dog. Hunting training, searching, retrieving and tracking provide opportunities to use several of its natural abilities. A well-planned routine also includes walks over varied terrain and physical conditioning tailored to the individual dog. Ask the breeder or an experienced gundog instructor to help you plan your young dog’s development and first steps towards practical work.

Start early with engagement, recall, steadiness and delivering objects to hand. Work in small steps and use rewards your dog values. The Swedish breeding strategy stresses clear communication and warns that unfair punishment can make a dog reluctant to cooperate. Gradually increase distractions, and keep the dog safely under control whenever its hunting drive could take over before its training is reliable in that situation.

Hiking, swimming and activities such as obedience, rally obedience or agility can add variety, and the AKC mentions several of these as possible forms of exercise. Always adjust the demands to the dog’s age, health and fitness. For a young dog, play, training and rest need to be balanced. Monitor how well your dog recovers, and seek help with its routine if it struggles to settle between activities.

## Health

The SKK notes that the Swedish population is too small to assess the breed’s health reliably. The Swedish breeding strategy from 2026 also describes the available evidence as limited. Ask for documented information about the parents and other close relatives. Enquire both about screening results and about recurring problems owners have noticed in daily life or during work.

The breeding strategy recommends hip dysplasia (HD) grades A or B, with the option of using grade C to preserve genetic diversity. For elbows, it recommends elbow dysplasia (ED) grade 0; under these recommendations, a dog with ED grade 1 should be paired with a dog graded ED 0. The document states that hip and elbow X-rays are not mandatory breeding requirements for the breed. Ask the breeder to explain how joint health, relatives’ results and genetic diversity have been weighed up in the planned mating.

The breeding strategy also calls for monitoring of skin and coat, eyes, ears and other health issues. These are areas to keep an eye on, not evidence that every condition mentioned is common in the breed. If a breeder refers to a DNA test, they should make clear which disease or trait it tests for. Such a result answers a different question from a clinical examination.

Practical preventive care is important for an active dog. Check the ears, examine the body after work and monitor body condition as activity levels change. Seek veterinary advice for problems such as pain, recurring ear trouble or persistent itching. A dog’s willingness to work, or its membership of a breed often described as robust, is no substitute for an examination when something has changed.

## History and origins

The French pointing dog has its roots in southwestern France and the central Pyrenees, where pointing dogs have long been used to hunt game birds. Today’s two types share this history: the larger Gascony type and the smaller French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type. They differ in size, substance and skin, among other features, while sharing the same basic role as pointing gundogs.

The Pyrenean type has retained a strong connection to practical hunting, in which searching, pointing and retrieving are central tasks. The breed remains uncommon in Sweden, where it is represented by Specialklubb för Kontinentala Fågelhundar, the specialist club for continental gundogs. The Swedish breeding strategy emphasises assessment of hunting ability and international cooperation, allowing a small population to develop with due regard for working ability, temperament, health and genetic diversity.

## Living with the breed

The French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type suits a lifestyle in which the dog can take an active part. Think through what you will do together both during the hunting season and throughout the rest of the year. A good routine makes room for exercise, scent work, cooperation and rest. Ask what a typical week looks like for the breeder’s adult dogs, and compare that with the time and experience available in your household.

The breed’s friendly nature can provide a good foundation for family life, but children and dogs need to get to know one another under adult supervision. A responsible adult should always be present when young children interact with the dog. The dog needs somewhere to rest undisturbed, and children need to learn to respect its food, sleep and signals that it wants space.

Other dogs may be welcome companions, but introductions need to suit the individuals involved. With cats and smaller animals, the breed’s hunting instincts require particular care. Let the animals get used to one another under controlled conditions, and make sure you can separate them. Getting along with an animal at home is no guarantee that the dog will behave the same way around unfamiliar animals outdoors.

Your living situation needs to make it practical to meet the dog’s activity needs. Access to training grounds and good walking areas is valuable, while a garden alone will not provide everything the dog needs. Ask how adult relatives cope with visitors, noises and quieter days. Practise calm everyday routines alongside more energetic activities to help the dog understand both.

Introduce time alone gradually once your puppy feels secure at home. Start with short periods and increase them according to the dog’s response, arranging company or supervision when needed. The breed’s sociable reputation does not provide a precise limit for how long an individual can cope alone. Plan working days and other absences around the dog you actually have and how its training progresses.

Before buying, it is particularly useful to get clear answers about three things: the breeder’s hunting goals, the adult dogs’ everyday behaviour and documented health monitoring. Choose someone who can discuss both strengths and limitations openly. When the breed’s need for work and companionship fits the home, there is every opportunity for a sociable, enthusiastic hunting and training companion.

French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type

An agile, medium-sized pointing dog from France with a short coat, brown markings, and a gentle expression. The smaller Pyrenean type combines a strong hunting instinct with a friendly, sociable nature and a willingness to cooperate. The French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type thrives on hunting, retrieving, and close contact with its family, and needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, and clear, gentle training.

Jerikogårdens

## Quick facts

The Pharaoh Hound, known in Swedish as the faraohund, is a lively, medium-sized dog from Malta. Behind its elegant appearance is a fast, alert rabbit hunter that uses sight, scent and hearing. In Sweden, it is primarily kept as an active companion and sporting dog. It combines affection and playfulness with independence, and its prey drive needs to be taken seriously in everyday life.

- **Size:** males stand 56–63.5 cm at the withers and females 53–61 cm. The body should be supple and muscular, slightly longer than it is tall.
- **Activity level:** high. The breed needs daily walks, mental stimulation and safe opportunities to run and exercise.
- **Grooming:** a very low-maintenance, short coat. Regular wiping or brushing and bathing as needed are usually enough, along with nail, ear and dental care.
- **Life expectancy:** the AKC gives approximately 12–14 years as a general guide for the breed. Individual lifespans vary.
- **Best suited to:** an active owner who appreciates a playful, independent dog and can provide safe outdoor exercise, shared activities and close contact at home.

Ask the breeder how the adult dogs cope with everyday noises, unfamiliar people, encounters with other dogs and time alone. The breed matures relatively slowly, so puppyhood and adolescence should not be rushed. Also ask how health and temperament are monitored within the family line and how the dogs’ prey drive is managed in everyday family life.

## Appearance and coat

The Pharaoh Hound has clean lines, a long neck, a deep chest and well-developed muscles without looking heavy. The head is elongated and forms a blunt wedge, with a muzzle slightly longer than the skull. The large, fine ears are highly mobile and held erect when the dog is alert. The eyes are oval and amber in colour.

Males stand 56–63.5 cm at the withers and females 53–61 cm. The coat is reddish-brown in lighter or deeper shades, and the nose colour should blend with the coat. A white tail tip is particularly desirable under the breed standard; small white markings on the chest and toes, as well as a narrow blaze, are also permitted. The long tail tapers towards the tip and is carried in a curve when the dog is moving.

The short coat is glossy and may be fine and close-fitting or slightly harsher. Grooming takes little time: wipe or brush away dirt and loose hair, and bathe as needed. The thin coat also means the dog may need a warm coat in winter. Adjust time outdoors to suit the weather and the individual dog, and provide a warm, dry place to rest.

Make handling a calm part of daily life from puppyhood. Get your dog used to having its ears checked, the spaces between its toes felt and its mouth examined. Keep nails short and check the paw pads and skin after running. Regularly feeling over your dog’s body helps you learn what is normal for that individual, making it easier to notice wounds, tenderness or lumps.

## Temperament and personality

The Pharaoh Hound should be friendly, affectionate, intelligent and playful. Many form close bonds with their families and like to join in whenever something is happening. An adult dog can be calm indoors when daily life provides enough exercise and stimulation. A fast, alert adolescent, however, may need plenty of guidance before settling down and everyday routines come as easily.

With unfamiliar people, the Pharaoh Hound may be reserved or fairly uninterested. The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) distinguishes this reserve from fear, an important difference to discuss with the breeder. Ask how the dogs recover from surprises and how they react to loud noises. The Swedish breeding strategy identifies noise sensitivity as an area to monitor, so positive, reassuring introductions to new situations are valuable.

The breed’s prey drive can quickly become apparent when something moves or a scent catches its interest. Pharaoh Hounds use several senses when hunting, so a dog may become interested in game even without having seen it. Build a strong connection and good habits from the start, but include secure fencing and boundaries in your plans. An affectionate relationship with the owner does not guarantee that a dog will refrain from chasing.

## Training and exercise

Daily life should include walks, exercises that encourage cooperation and opportunities to run in a safe place. SKK lists lure coursing, agility and game tracking as activities that may suit the breed. In lure coursing, the dog follows an artificial lure, providing an outlet for elements of its hunting behaviour. Seek help from an experienced organiser when introducing your dog, and tailor participation to its maturity and fitness.

Train with clear cues, rewards and tasks of an appropriate difficulty. Pharaoh Hounds learn readily but can also be independent and impulsive. Short sessions practising recall, lead walking, handling and waiting calmly will help in many situations. Start with mild distractions and build up gradually, giving your dog experience of succeeding even as its surroundings become more tempting.

Off-lead freedom needs to be managed with the hunting instinct in mind. The AKC warns that even good obedience is not a reliable basis for letting this breed off lead in an unfenced area. Check fencing carefully and use a lead where needed. Adjust physical demands to age and health as well; a young dog needs a different approach from an adult that has already built up the fitness for fast-paced exercise.

## Health

SKK describes the Pharaoh Hound as a generally healthy breed, but that does not mean every individual is free from hereditary or other health problems. Before buying a puppy, ask for specific information about its parents, siblings and previous offspring. Documented examinations and an openly shared medical history tell you more than a general assurance that the breed is usually healthy.

According to SKK, occasional cases of patellar luxation, in which the kneecap can move out of its normal position, do occur. The Swedish breeding strategy also addresses hip health and encourages voluntary screening where relevant. Ask which knee and joint examinations have been carried out in the particular family line. Lameness or a change in movement should be assessed by a vet, even in a dog that is still keen to run and play.

According to the AKC, the American breed club recommends examinations of the kneecaps, hips, eyes and thyroid. These are American recommendations and should not be presented as mandatory Swedish registration requirements. Ask to see the exact results, dates and identity of the dog examined. A normal result applies to the examination performed; it does not mean that every possible health problem has been ruled out.

The Swedish breeding strategy from 2019 identifies conditions including tumours, eye disorders and thyroid disease as areas for continued monitoring. Some of the evidence comes from older owner surveys and cannot reliably describe current disease rates. Ask about recurring diagnoses in the family line and respond to new lumps, persistent skin problems or other changes. When a dog shows symptoms, a vet’s assessment should guide decisions.

## History and origins

The Pharaoh Hound originates from Malta and Gozo, where it has been used to hunt rabbits in rocky terrain. Its name and resemblance to dogs in ancient Egyptian depictions have contributed to theories of a very ancient Mediterranean background. That resemblance alone, however, does not demonstrate an unbroken line of descent from the pharaohs’ dogs. Malta’s hunting tradition provides the clearest starting point for an account of the breed.

A few dogs reached Britain early on, but according to SKK, the breed became established there during the 1960s and subsequently spread internationally. The first Pharaoh Hound was imported into Sweden in 1971, and the first Swedish litter was born in 1974. In Sweden, showing, family life and activities such as lure coursing have become important, while the breed’s speed and hunting abilities still need appropriate outlets.

## Living with the breed

The Pharaoh Hound suits someone who wants a close companion with a sense of humour, plenty of energy and a mind of its own. Plan daily life to provide exercise and tasks, as well as help with winding down. Safe exercise arrangements are a practical matter to resolve before bringing a puppy home. Ask the breeder to show you what everyday life with adult dogs looks like, including on days without competitions or other major activities.

Children in the family need to get to know the dog in safe, supervised circumstances. A friendly breed description does not replace adult responsibility, and young children should always have an adult present when they are with the dog. Provide a resting place where the dog can be left undisturbed, and teach children to respect its meals, sleep and signals that it needs space. Adults are also responsible for walking and handling a fast, strong dog.

Many Pharaoh Hounds get along well with other dogs, but introductions still need to be tailored to the individuals involved. Cats and other small animals require particular care because of the breed’s prey drive. Let the animals become accustomed to one another under controlled conditions, and keep them separated when necessary. Knowing an animal at home does not mean the dog will react in the same way to an unfamiliar cat or another small animal outdoors.

The home environment needs to allow for both rest and safe activity. The breed may bark to alert you when something happens, so ask about everyday barking among adult relatives and how they cope with noises and visitors. The short coat also makes warm sleeping places and adjustments for winter weather important practical considerations. A fenced garden can be useful, but it does not replace walks, training and contact with people.

Introduce time alone in small steps once your dog feels secure at home. Start with brief periods and adjust your progress to its response. Arrange company or supervision if your absence would otherwise be too difficult for the dog to cope with. Independence while hunting does not tell you how a dog feels about being home alone, and there is no set length of time that every Pharaoh Hound can automatically manage.

Before buying, make sure you receive clear answers about managing prey drive, how the breeder works to develop stable temperaments and what health information is available for the planned litter. If possible, meet adult dogs and choose a breeder who discusses both the benefits and the challenges. When the dog’s exercise, safety and social needs fit the household, there is a strong foundation for an affectionate, playful companion with whom to enjoy many shared activities.

Pharaoh Hound

An elegant, medium-sized dog from Malta with a reddish-brown coat, large upright ears, and amber eyes. Its background as a rabbit hunter is reflected in its speed and strong prey drive. The Pharaoh Hound is friendly, affectionate, and playful, but also independent. It needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, and safe opportunities to run. Its coat is easy to care for, though it may need a warm dog coat in winter.

Kin-Chin

## Quick facts

The American Foxhound is an American scent hound with great stamina and a keen interest in scents. Often friendly and affectionate at home, it can work very independently once a trail catches its attention. The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) emphasizes that the breed is happiest when allowed to hunt and needs extensive exercise, training, and stimulation.

- **Size:** males stand 56–63.5 cm at the shoulder and females 53–61 cm. The body is rectangular and built for speed, strength, and stamina.
- **Activity level:** very high. The breed regularly needs plenty of physical exercise, opportunities to use its nose, and activities shared with its owner.
- **Grooming:** a dense, easy-care coat. A brush or grooming mitt about once a week is often enough, with baths as needed.
- **Life expectancy:** the American Kennel Club (AKC) gives approximately 11–13 years as a general guideline for the breed. This is not a guarantee for an individual dog.
- **Best suited to:** an active hunter or a highly committed household with a well-thought-out plan for meeting the dog's hunting needs, providing daily exercise, and keeping it safe outdoors.

Ask the breeder what the adult dogs are used for and how they behave between working sessions. A dog raised with plenty of canine company may need a different introduction to home life than a puppy already accustomed to it. Consider the parents' behavior, health records, and working background together, so your choice is based on more than a friendly expression.

## Appearance and coat

The American Foxhound is a long-legged, athletic dog with a muscular back, deep chest, and relatively long head. The eyes are brown or hazel and should have a gentle expression. The long, broad ears are set relatively low and hang close to the cheeks. The tail is carried jauntily with a slight curve, without curling forward over the back.

Males stand 56–63.5 cm at the shoulder and females 53–61 cm. The FCI standard permits all colors, with tricolor dogs in white, black, and tan being one example of the breed's variety. What matters is the overall picture: a functional body with well-developed muscles and legs capable of carrying the dog through long periods of work.

The coat lies close to the body and has a firm, protective texture. It is straightforward to care for and usually needs only regular brushing. The AKC suggests a brief weekly grooming session as a useful routine. Bathe the dog when it gets particularly dirty, and take the opportunity to check the skin as you remove loose hair and debris picked up during woodland outings.

Take particular care to get your puppy used to ear checks, having its paws handled, and nail trimming. Gently lift the ear flap to look and smell inside without making the examination unpleasant. Also check the legs and paw pads after exercise. When routine care is well established, it becomes easier to spot small wounds, chafing, or other changes and to have the dog examined when needed.

## Temperament and personality

The SKK and AKC describe the American Foxhound as friendly and affectionate, often with a pleasant manner toward people. It may enjoy family company and get along well with other dogs. However, these breed descriptions still need to be considered alongside knowledge of the individual dog. Ask how adult relatives respond to visitors, new environments, handling, and changes in daily routines.

Its independence is especially noticeable when its nose takes over. A dog that is calm and attentive indoors can become intensely absorbed in a trail outdoors. The AKC notes that training may require patience and persistence. Owners need to build cooperation without assuming that friendliness automatically means responsiveness in every situation, particularly when game or interesting scents are nearby.

The breed's background in pack hunting makes canine companionship an important part of its history. Other dogs may be valued companions for a particular individual, but introductions and relationships still need to work in practice. Ask the breeder about both the dogs' social experiences and their ability to settle, accept handling, and take part in activities alone with a person.

## Training and exercise

Plan for substantial daily exercise and regular activities that allow the dog to use its nose. Its hunting background is central to the breed, and the SKK describes it as an unsuitable choice solely for companionship. Long walks, hiking, and tracking can provide valuable variety. These need to form part of a routine that also takes account of the dog's drive to work, fitness, and need for recovery.

Start with short, clear exercises in engagement, recall, and leash walking. Reward the behaviors you want to see more often, and begin training in places with few distractions. Increase the difficulty gradually, and use a leash or another secure means of containment when the dog must not follow a trail. The AKC warns that the breed's interest in scent can make being off-leash outdoors unsafe, even for a trained dog.

The AKC mentions tracking, rally obedience, and other cooperative exercises as possible activities. Tailor them to the dog's age, health, and experience rather than letting a fixed number of minutes dictate everything. A puppy needs a different approach from a fit adult dog. Make time for quiet breaks and handling, too, so training involves more than speed and hunting.

## Health

The breed is very rare in Sweden, and the SKK considers the population too small to describe its health status there reliably. Before buying, it is therefore especially valuable to obtain documented information about the particular family line. Ask about parents, siblings, and previous offspring, and have the breeder explain which examinations have been carried out and what the results actually show.

The AKC identifies hip dysplasia and thrombocytopathy as health conditions to be aware of. Thrombocytopathy is a disorder of platelet function that can affect the ability to stop bleeding. This information highlights relevant questions to ask, but does not indicate how common these conditions are in Sweden. Ask for a specific medical history, and have a veterinarian assess suspected problems or the need for further investigation.

At the same time, the AKC's separate listing of breed club health tests gives no recommended testing list for the American Foxhound. This should not be taken to mean that the breed has no health risks or that a particular litter has been screened. Ask exactly which results the breeder can provide, and check current Swedish requirements separately. A general breed description and a mandatory registration requirement are different kinds of information.

The ears need regular checks, as long ears can develop infections and collect dirt or foreign material. Seek veterinary care for pain, an unpleasant smell, or recurring irritation. Also keep an eye on body condition and feeding: the AKC describes a hearty appetite and a risk of excess weight. Appropriate portions, dental care, and regular physical checks are part of preventive care throughout the dog's life.

## History and origins

The American Foxhound was developed in the United States, with British hunting hounds forming an important foundation. Imported dogs were used for hunting in the North American colonies, where working in packs and following the scent of game were highly valued. Continued breeding led to the development of the American Foxhound. The breed should be distinguished from the English Foxhound, although their histories are closely linked.

George Washington is one of the people associated with its development. According to historical material from Mount Vernon, he kept dogs from England and France alongside American dogs; French hunting hounds arrived in 1785. The breed still clearly reflects this working background. Stamina, hunting drive, and its distinctive voice are important to understanding both its role and the demands it places on an ordinary household.

## Living with the breed

A good home for an American Foxhound starts with a realistic plan for its work and exercise. Think about what weekdays, weekends, and periods without hunting will look like. Ask the breeder to describe a typical week with an adult dog, and compare this with your own time and experience. An easy-care coat does not reduce the dog's activity needs.

The breed can be affectionate with children, but adults must always take responsibility for their interactions. Young children should have an adult present when they are with the dog, and the dog needs somewhere to rest undisturbed. Teach children to respect its meals, sleep, and signals that it needs space. A large, energetic dog also requires an adult who can take responsibility for walks and training.

Many American Foxhounds enjoy the company of other dogs. The AKC notes that they can also get along with cats, but their strong hunting drive means this needs to be assessed individually. Introduce animals under controlled conditions, and give the cat a way to get away. A dog accepting an animal at home does not mean you can assume it will behave the same way with unfamiliar animals outdoors.

Noise is an important consideration when assessing your home. The American Foxhound has a far-carrying hunting voice and may both bark and howl. Ask how vocal the dogs are in everyday life, and consider the distance to neighbors and your ability to establish calm routines. A yard needs secure fencing if the dog is to be off-leash there; it is no substitute for walks, tracking, or training together.

Introduce time alone gradually once the dog feels secure at home. Start with very short periods and let its reactions guide your progress. Arrange companionship or supervision when your daily routine requires it. A dog accustomed to pack life needs help adjusting to new routines, and another dog does not automatically replace training or human contact.

Before buying, you should have clear answers in three areas: how the dog's working needs will be met, how the adult dogs behave at home, and what documented health information is available. Ideally, meet more than one individual and choose a breeder who describes both the strengths and the challenges. When hunting drive, social needs, and living arrangements are well matched, the breed can be a friendly companion with plenty of stamina for an active life together.

American Foxhound

A friendly, long-legged hunting dog from the USA with an athletic build, a gentle expression, and long, floppy ears. Bred to follow scent trails with great stamina, the American Foxhound combines affection for its family with a strong hunting instinct and an independent streak. It needs plenty of exercise, scent work, and patient training, while its dense coat is easy to care for. Its far-carrying bark and howl also call for consideration for neighbors.

Boxholmsjägarens

Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog International Cooperation

The Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America

The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland’s only native spitz‑type herder, medium‑small, sturdy, and agile with a curled tail and thick double coat in varied colors. Cheerful, social, and vocal, it thrives on daily exercise, close family involvement, gentle training, and regular grooming.

Vadehavsvej

Schapendoes

Schapendoes Club of Great Britain

The Kennel Club (UK) - Schapendoes

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) - Schapendoes

Swedish Kennel Club - Schapendoes

Dansk Kennel Klub (DKK) - Schapendoes

Cheerful Dutch herding breed with a shaggy, low‑shedding but high‑maintenance coat. Medium, athletic and agile, it needs daily exercise and mental work yet is calm and cuddly indoors. Intelligent, sensitive and people focused, it suits active, engaged owners and varied dog sports.

Urtehagen

## Quick Facts

- The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, recognised companion dog in FCI Group 9 — not a working gundog, despite its name.
- The breed standard gives an approximate height of 25 cm at the withers and an approximate weight of 4–7 kg. These are guidelines, not a guarantee for every adult dog.
- The breed is described as cheerful, alert, intelligent and loyal, as well as independent and sometimes aloof with strangers.
- Its medium-length double coat has a silky topcoat and a fine, dense undercoat. All colours and combinations of colours are permitted.
- A Tibetan Spaniel needs daily exercise, mental activity and company, but the amount must be tailored to the individual.
- Eye health is the clearest breeding consideration in Sweden. An eye examination and PRA3 DNA status provide different information and should not be confused.

## Appearance & Coat

The Tibetan Spaniel is small but should look balanced and agile, without exaggeration. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, the back is level and movement should be free, active and parallel. The breed standard's approximate 25 cm and 4–7 kg are useful guidelines. If adult size matters greatly to you, also look at both parents and closely related adult dogs.

The head is small in proportion to the body, and the muzzle should be medium in length, blunt and free from wrinkles. A slight undershot bite is typical of the breed, but neither teeth nor tongue should show when the mouth is closed. The eyes should be dark brown, oval, clear and forward-facing. Assess the whole dog — clear eyes, a closed mouth, unrestricted movement and a proportionate head — rather than choosing the one with the most extreme appearance.

The coat consists of a medium-length, fairly close-lying topcoat and a fine, dense undercoat. The ears, backs of the forelegs, tail and thighs carry longer feathering. Males tend to have a more pronounced mane than females, but the dog should not be over-coated. Every colour and mixture of colours is allowed; colour does not, however, predict temperament or health.

A thorough brush and comb once a week is a sensible starting point. Check the coat more frequently during moulting. Take the comb down to the skin and pay particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits and through the feathering, where friction can cause tangles. Wash the dog when it is genuinely dirty and let the condition of the coat, rather than a bathing calendar, decide. Calmly accustom a puppy to nail trimming, mouth care and other handling too; tooth brushing is an important lifelong routine.

## Temperament & Personality

The Tibetan Spaniel suits someone who appreciates an attentive companion with a mind of its own. The breed ideal is cheerful, self-assured, intelligent, alert and loyal. Its independence can be charming, but also means the dog may not work simply because it is asked. The breed can suit a first-time owner, but is not automatically easy: patience, reward-based training and respect for the dog's signals matter more than having owned a dog before.

The fact that the breed may be aloof with strangers does not excuse fear or aggression. A stable dog should be able to watch from a distance and then settle without being forced to greet. When visiting a breeder, observe how the dam and other adult relatives react to a new person, touch, sounds and everyday excitement. They should be able to seek support and recover.

Alertness can mean barking when something changes outside a door or window. The amount an individual barks is also influenced by environment, experience and training. Rather than asking only whether the breed is “barky”, ask how the parents behave when visitors arrive and how quickly they settle again. In a home where sound travels easily, reward quiet watching from the outset, teach a clear cue to leave the trigger and settle, and restrict lookout points that keep the dog constantly on duty.

BPH, the Swedish behavioural and personality assessment for dogs, can provide useful information about an individual dog's reactions, but it is a description rather than a pass-or-fail test. If parents or adult relatives have completed a BPH, review the results with the breeder. Treat them as additional evidence alongside what you observe, not as a guarantee of the puppy's future personality.

## Training & Exercise

The Tibetan Spaniel needs to move and use its brain every day, but its needs cannot be reduced to a fixed number of minutes. The breed can accompany you on longer outings and still relax at home. A sound routine alternates walks, scent work, play and cooperative exercises with undisturbed rest. Adjust the load to age, health, ground conditions and weather, and to how quickly the dog returns to normal movement and energy afterwards.

Reward-based, progressive training suits the breed's independent nature. Make the task clear and worthwhile instead of raising your voice or using physical corrections. Vary the setting and the reward, and finish while the dog is still engaged. Short sessions can be practical, but concentration and quality matter more than the clock.

Prioritise skills that make everyday life safe and calm:

- attention and walking with you near traffic and other distractions
- recall, initially practised on a long line or in an enclosed area
- a cue to move away from the door or window and settle
- willing participation in grooming and examination of the paws, mouth and eyes
- calm greetings and the ability to rest despite sounds in a stairwell or outside the home
- gradual training for time alone, without leaving the dog for longer than it can remain settled

Dog sports can be enjoyable if the individual likes them, but they are not essential and do not by themselves prove that the dog's everyday needs are being met. What matters is a dog that moves freely, remains curious during activity and can wind down afterwards.

## Health

Eye health is the most concrete documentation to check when buying a Swedish-bred Tibetan Spaniel. For a litter to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have an official eye examination result that was no more than one year old at the time of mating. Ask to see the registration numbers, examination dates and actual results for both parents — not simply an assurance that they have been “tested”.

PRA is an umbrella term for inherited retinal diseases that can lead to blindness. PRA3 is one of the genetic variants found in the breed, but a PRA3 DNA test does not cover every cause of clinical PRA. An eye examination and a DNA test therefore answer different questions:

- an eye examination records the clinical condition of the eyes at the time and can detect PRA and other changes
- a PRA3 test shows whether the dog is clear, a carrier or genetically affected by that particular PRA3 variant
- a carrier is not affected by PRA3 but can pass on the variant and should only be mated to a clear dog
- a clear PRA3 result does not certify that the dog is free from every eye disease

PRA3 results can be recorded centrally, but the DNA test is not the same formal requirement as the current eye examination. If a breeder says a dog is hereditarily clear, check that this is actually recorded. The Swedish Kennel Club records clear status by descent for no more than three generations.

The breed club also draws attention to renal dysplasia, abnormal eyelashes, inward-turning eyelids and patellar luxation in its breeding work. This does not mean every Tibetan Spaniel will be affected or that all these examinations are mandatory for registration. Ask instead about actual diagnoses and examination results in parents, siblings and older close relatives. When buying a puppy, a short, verifiable family history is more useful than a sweeping claim that a line is “completely healthy”.

## History & Origins

The Tibetan Spaniel has Asian origins, but its early history is not an unbroken, fully documented pedigree. Small dogs existed in Tibet and China for a long time, and breed tradition associates them with palaces and monasteries as companions and alert watchdogs. It is not possible to establish with certainty exactly where the type first developed or how it moved between regions.

The modern breed was developed in Britain, where it was documented in the late nineteenth century. In 1934, the Tibetan breeds received their own standards through the British Tibetan Breeds Association. After the Second World War, the British population was rebuilt from a small number of dogs. Britain therefore holds responsibility for the standard, even though Tibet is listed as the country of origin.

The first Tibetan Spaniel was imported into Sweden in 1955, with the first Swedish registration following the next year. Those dates are better documented than stories detailing how monastery dogs were given away or worked on walls. Such stories may help to explain the breed's reputation as an alert companion, but should be read as tradition rather than verified history.

## Living with the Breed

The Tibetan Spaniel can live successfully in a flat or a house when its routine provides exercise, mental activity, rest and social contact. The size of the home matters less than frequent opportunities to go outside and effective management of alert barking. In a flat, pay particular attention to the parents' barking, how easily sound travels in the building, and whether you can train calm behaviour at the door, window and in shared stairways.

The basic rules around children are the same as for other small dogs: an adult should be present, children should not lift or carry the dog, and the dog needs a protected resting place. A confident individual can become a lovely family dog, but a breed name never replaces supervision or respect for body language.

Living with another dog or a cat depends on the individuals and how they are introduced. Ask about the parents' and puppy's actual experience of other animals. For a cat introduction, begin with separate spaces and scent exchange, move on to a barrier and lead, and make sure the cat always has a clear escape route. Let both animals proceed at their own pace and do not leave them together unsupervised until their behaviour is predictable — and even then, each should have its own space.

Time alone is a trained skill, not a fixed breed trait. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and an adult dog must be accustomed gradually, starting with very short, calm absences. Increase the duration only when the dog can rest without persistent barking, pacing or distress. If your routine requires the dog to spend full working days alone, this breed, like other companion dogs, is a poor choice unless suitable daytime care is arranged.

Before buying, you should be able to get clear answers to the following:

- why this particular mating was chosen and how the parents behave in daily life
- the parents' registration numbers, and the dates and results of their eye examinations
- the PRA3 status of both parents and what the combination means for the puppies
- known cases of eye problems, renal dysplasia and patellar luxation among close relatives
- adult size, barking, responses to strangers and recovery after excitement in parents and older offspring

The breed is best suited to someone who wants to live with a small, active companion that likes to stay close but will not always obey on command. If you can offer kind training, clear everyday boundaries and room for an independent personality, the Tibetan Spaniel can enjoy outings, keep an alert eye on its surroundings and settle peacefully at home.

Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel Association (UK)

The United Kingdom Kennel Club

Small but sturdy Tibetan companion dog, about 9–15 lb, with a silky double coat, mane-like ruff, and plumed tail. Alert yet not yappy when trained, cat-like in independence, deeply attached to family, good with respectful children, adaptable to city or country with moderate exercise and grooming.

Bente Lund

## Quick Facts

- The Shetland Sheepdog, often called a Sheltie, is a small British companion and herding dog with a background as a farm dog on the Shetland Islands.
- The breed standard describes an active, alert, friendly and intelligent dog that is attentive to its owner. Reserve towards strangers is acceptable, but nervousness is not.
- The ideal height at the withers is 37 cm for males and 35.5 cm for females. The breed standard specifies no ideal weight.
- The long double coat needs to be groomed through to the skin, especially behind the ears and during shedding, but should not require routine full-body clipping.
- The breed is best suited to someone who wants to combine everyday exercise with training, scent work or other mental activity and who can work calmly on sounds, environments and time alone.
- When choosing a puppy, documented eye results, the temperament of close relatives and knowledge of MDR1 and merle matter more than general promises that the breed is always healthy or easy to live with.

## Appearance & Coat

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, light and agile dog that should be slightly longer than tall. The breed standard's ideals are 37 cm at the withers for males and 35.5 cm for females; a deviation of more than 2.5 cm in either direction is highly undesirable under the standard. These are ideals for breed assessment, not a guarantee for every individual. The standard gives no ideal weight, so body condition and build are better guides than a single figure on the scales.

The head should form a long, blunt wedge. The skull and muzzle should be equal in length, with the midpoint at the inner corner of the eye. The eyes are almond-shaped and usually dark brown; in blue merles they may be wholly or partly blue. The small ears are carried back at rest and brought forward with folded tips when the dog is alert.

The coat is double: the outer coat is long, straight and somewhat harsh, while the undercoat is short, soft and dense. A thorough grooming about once a week suits many dogs, with more frequent care during shedding. Comb all the way to the skin and pay particular attention behind the ears. Hair around the feet and on the hocks can be tidied when needed. After a bath, the coat needs to dry right through to the skin.

Accepted colours are sable, tricolour, blue merle, black and white, and black and tan, although the last is not seen in modern times. Blue merle should have an overall silver-blue appearance with black marbling. White markings may appear on areas including the blaze, collar, chest, frill, legs and tip of the tail; white body patches, however, are highly undesirable under the standard. The colour standard and the genetic rules for merle are separate issues.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Shetland Sheepdog is alert, friendly, intelligent and closely focused on its owner, but individuals differ clearly in sociability, sensitivity to sound and confidence. A dog may be cool towards strangers and choose not to greet them, but fear should not be dismissed as normal reserve.

The Swedish Kennel Club's BPH behavioural analysis shows why an average is not enough when choosing a dog. The Shelties described showed little fear in several test situations, but there was marked variation in situations including greetings and surprises. The analysis applies to the participants and cannot predict an individual puppy. Ask how the parents and close relatives react to strangers, sounds and new environments, and how quickly they recover.

The breed historically had to stay watchful and raise the alarm. This can make barking an important everyday consideration, but it does not mean that every Sheltie is very vocal. The fact that few dogs barked or whined where noise was not expected during BPH does not mean that the breed is always quiet at home when someone walks through the stairwell. Assess the individual dog and rearing environment you are actually choosing.

Shelties are described as dogs that can typically mix with other dogs without conflict, but this guarantees neither every encounter nor life with cats and small pets. Early experiences, the individual dog's behaviour and controlled introductions all matter greatly.

## Training & Exercise

The Shetland Sheepdog needs physical activity and mental tasks every day, but there is no serious minute-by-minute quota that suits every individual. A good routine alternates walks with opportunities to sniff, short training sessions, play and rest. Agility, rally obedience, obedience, nose work and trick training can suit the breed's speed and willingness to cooperate, but dog sport is not essential if everyday life already provides varied movement and problem-solving.

Use reward-based, progressive training that takes the dog's sensitivity into account. Harsh voices can increase uncertainty; make the situation easier instead and reward the behaviour you want. For a dog that reacts to sounds at the door, movement outside a window or visitors, you can:

- increase the distance or block the trigger so the dog can still think;
- reward the dog for turning back to you and settling calmly in a designated place;
- practise with quiet, predictable sounds before increasing the difficulty;
- give the dog a break if it cannot take a reward or settle.

The aim is not to stop all communication, but to help the dog disengage, recover and settle. If your particular dog starts chasing, circling or nipping at running children, bicycles or other fast movement, treat it as a specific safety and training problem rather than excusing it as breed background. Use a lead or distance while teaching a safe alternative.

Puppies need short, positive experiences and plenty of recovery. Increase demands and difficulty in line with the dog's age, fitness and confidence. In an adult dog, the ability to rest between activities matters just as much as the distance it can walk.

## Health

The Shetland Sheepdog has several well-documented health concerns, particularly involving the eyes, and a sound puppy choice starts with verifiable results rather than the phrase “healthy lines”. Ask the breeder to show registered examinations and explain why the particular parent combination was chosen.

CEA, collie eye anomaly, is a congenital change in the development of the eye. The milder change, CRD, is not normally considered to affect vision, while coloboma can. Some CEA changes are easiest to see when a young puppy receives an eye examination and may later be hidden by pigment. PRA, by contrast, is a progressive retinal disease that can lead to blindness. A DNA test shows whether the dog has a particular tested genetic variant; it does not reveal every eye change. The breed has more than one form of PRA as well as other retinal diseases, so DNA testing and a clinical eye examination answer different questions.

The former Swedish health programme that required an eye certificate no more than one year old before breeding ended in 2017. The breed club's breed-specific breeding strategy, RAS, recommends eye examinations for puppies, an examination after one year of age before breeding and follow-up of older breeding dogs. Recommendations are not the same as registration requirements. Check the Swedish Kennel Club's latest rules and registered results before buying or breeding.

MDR1, also called ABCB1, affects a transport protein that helps protect the brain from certain substances. The mutation has been found in Shetland Sheepdogs and can increase the risk of serious adverse reactions to some medicines. Only an individual DNA test establishes a particular dog's status. Keep the result and show it to the veterinarian; never change a dose or treatment based on a list found online.

Injuries to the hock and other joint problems are also documented in the breed's Swedish breeding strategy. Ask about lameness, hock problems and joint results in the parents and older relatives, but do not treat a single radiograph result as a complete guarantee.

Blue merle is an accepted colour, but two dogs carrying merle must not be mated. Doubling the variant creates a risk of serious defects, including defects of sight and hearing. The Swedish Kennel Club prohibits registration of offspring from two merle Shelties and has specific rules for hidden merle in sable offspring.

## History & Origins

The Shetland Sheepdog comes from the Shetland Islands and developed from small farm dogs. Crosses with Collies are documented, while much else about the early ancestry rests on assumptions.

On the islands, the dogs were used, among other things, to keep sheep away from crops and to raise the alarm on the farm. They are therefore not described primarily as specialised herding dogs of the modern kind. Their small size and weather-resistant coat suited a harsh, windy and damp climate where resources were limited.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the breed was shaped towards a more consistent type. The British Kennel Club recognised the Shetland Sheepdog in 1914, and the first individual arrived in Sweden in 1930. The Sheltie is a distinct FCI-recognised breed with its own standard, size and development.

## Living with the Breed

The Shetland Sheepdog can live successfully with children, other animals and in a flat, but only when the individual dog's temperament and the household routine are a good match. Its size is convenient, while awareness of sound, need for cooperation and variation in confidence may matter more than the home's floor area.

An adult should always supervise interactions in a family with children. Children need to let the dog eat, sleep and withdraw undisturbed. Do not choose the breed solely because it is said to be “good with children”; ask about the dog's own experiences and the parents' temperaments.

Introductions to a cat or another dog should be controlled, with room for distance and separate resting places. Reward calm behaviour and prevent chasing or crowding while the relationship develops. Small pets require physical protection even if the dog appears friendly.

Flat living can work if the dog receives daily activity and can rest despite stairwells, lifts and neighbours. Assess the sound environment and ask which puppies recover easily after new experiences. A garden does not replace walks, training or company.

Time alone must be built up gradually, once the puppy feels secure in the home. Start with very short, uneventful periods and increase them only while the dog remains calm. An adult dog that has learned to be alone may manage a few hours, but individual differences are substantial and a young puppy should not be left alone. If the dog barks, paces, pants or cannot settle, take the training back a step and arrange daily life so the dog is not left beyond its ability.

The breed is a strong choice for someone who appreciates an attentive, trainable dog and is prepared for coat care, sound training and mental activity. It is less suitable for someone seeking a completely independent dog, a guaranteed quiet home or a dog that must be left alone for long working days.

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog Club of the UK

Norwegian Kennel Club

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small to medium, agile herding breed with a dense double coat and striking colors. Bright, sensitive, and very people focused, it bonds closely with family, is reserved with strangers, excels in dog sports, and needs regular grooming, daily walks, and mental exercise.

Olssinge

## Quick Facts

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, powerful German working, herding and service breed for an owner who wants to train actively and systematically. The breed is cooperative and versatile, but the considerable variation within the breed makes the choice of breeder, parents and litter particularly important.

- **Origin:** Germany
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattledogs
- **Height at the withers:** males 60–65 cm, females 55–60 cm
- **Weight:** males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg
- **Coat:** stock coat or long stock coat, both double coats with an undercoat
- **Activity level:** high; the breed needs physical activity, scent work, problem-solving and cooperation
- **Important before buying:** check the health, temperament, working traits and movement of the parents and close relatives, not only what the breeder calls the line or which show merits the dogs have

A German Shepherd Dog can be a highly capable family and training companion when daily life matches the individual dog's drive to work. It is rarely a good choice, however, for someone who mainly wants an uncomplicated companion dog. A first-time owner needs to be prepared to attend classes, train regularly and seek help early if the dog develops fear, stress, a strong urge to chase moving things or difficulty settling.

## Appearance & Coat

The German Shepherd Dog should be powerful and well muscled without exaggeration in either construction or movement. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. According to the breed standard, males should stand 60–65 cm and weigh 30–40 kg; females should stand 55–60 cm and weigh 22–32 kg.

The back and the croup are not the same thing. The breed standard describes a straight back continuing into a slightly sloping croup. A markedly arched or falling loin and an over-angulated, cow-hocked or unstable hindquarter are not the breed ideal. The Swedish Kennel Club's breed-specific instructions identify the topline and hindquarters as areas of risk and state that movement should be assessed at both walk and trot.

For a puppy buyer, natural movement is more informative than an extreme show pose. Ask to see the parents walk and trot on a level surface. The hind legs should work steadily and remain parallel when viewed from behind, without the hocks collapsing inward or looking unstable. Look at adult relatives as well; a puppy does not yet show how its mature body will function.

The breed has two accepted coat varieties. The stock-coated German Shepherd Dog has a dense, harsh and close-lying double coat. The long-coated variety has longer, softer outer hair that does not lie as close to the body. Both must have an undercoat and both shed. Brush and comb as needed, more often during shedding periods, and pay particular attention to longer hair behind the ears and on the legs and tail. Bathe the dog when dirty rather than according to a fixed schedule.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard calls for a well-balanced, steady-nerved, self-assured, attentive and biddable German Shepherd Dog. This is a breeding goal, not a guarantee for every individual. Temperament, working drive, sociability, fearfulness and the ability to settle can differ considerably between dogs and family lines within the breed.

German Shepherd Dogs are often described as intelligent, loyal or naturally protective, but such labels say too little about daily life. A dog with strong working drive may be focused and responsive in suitable work but demanding without clear tasks. Awareness of the surroundings can support good teamwork with the handler, but it can also result in barking or strong reactions if the dog is insecure, stressed or poorly trained. The breed should not be chosen on the assumption that every individual will automatically be a reliable guard dog or an easy family dog.

In some parts of the breed, breeding has focused primarily on working trials and service work; in others, showing has carried more weight. Labels such as “working” and “show” still cannot predict activity level or suitability for family life. Ask the breeder how the parents behave around strangers, dogs, noises, quiet downtime and new environments. Request results and descriptions of everyday behaviour for littermates, half-siblings and previous offspring as well.

During the Swedish Mental Description Dog, MH, the dog's reactions are documented in situations involving contact, play, chasing, inactivity, surprises, threats and gunshots. MH is a description, not a test that the dog passes or fails. Read the full record and compare several close relatives instead of being satisfied that a dog merely has “known mental status”.

## Training & Exercise

The German Shepherd Dog needs to use both body and mind every day, but there is no single number of hours that is right for every individual. Needs are affected by age, health, recovery, fitness and what the activity actually involves. A young dog requires different levels of strain from a fully grown, well-conditioned adult.

A workable routine combines walks and free movement in safe areas with scent work, problem-solving and cooperative exercises. Tracking, search work, obedience, working trials and other tasks that allow the dog to concentrate suit the breed's background. Vary surfaces and environments, but increase duration, difficulty and physical strain gradually. The aim is not to exhaust the dog every day, but to build fitness, body control, self-control and the ability to recover.

Reward-based, individually adapted training makes the desired behaviour clear without building cooperation on fear or discomfort. Start early with recall, engagement, handling, loose-lead walking, working at a manageable distance from distractions and releasing objects. Also train the less spectacular skill of lying quietly when nothing is happening. A German Shepherd Dog given only high-intensity activities may become very good at becoming aroused but struggle to settle again.

Puppies should not be exercised like adult dogs. Short periods of exploration, play at their own pace, rest and positive exposure to new environments are more important than long distances, jumping or sharp turns. Increase the physical load gradually as the dog grows. If the dog becomes lame or stiff, is reluctant to move or shows a changed gait, adjust the exercise and contact a veterinarian.

## Health

Hip dysplasia, HD, and elbow dysplasia, ED, are the central documented health checks when buying a German Shepherd Dog registered in Sweden. Both areas are prioritised by the Swedish Kennel Club and the breed club's breeding strategy. Skin problems and disorders of the musculoskeletal system also occur, while the Swedish breeding strategy notes that consolidated documentation is lacking for some widely discussed back and itching problems. Long disease lists without information about relatives therefore tell a puppy buyer less than verified results and the health of close relatives.

Under the Swedish Kennel Club's registration rules in force in 2026, both parents must have official HD status before mating. Because the breed has an HD index, the average index of the parents at the time of mating is recommended to be above 100, and dogs graded HD D or E must not be used for breeding. The German Shepherd Dog also requires official ED status; for parents born on or after 1 January 2006, the result must be ED 0. An average ED index above 100 is a recommendation. Rules can change, so always check the current version with the Swedish Kennel Club.

When buying a puppy, check more than whether both parents meet the minimum requirements:

- compare the parents' HD and ED results and current indices
- find out how many dogs in previous litters and among close relatives have been screened
- ask about skin problems, recurring itching, movement problems and other diagnoses in the family
- read MH or MT results for parents, siblings and previous offspring
- watch adult dogs move naturally at walk and trot, and ask how they function in work and daily life

One good individual result does not eliminate risk. Results from the whole litter and close family give a better picture before purchase.

## History & Origins

The German Shepherd Dog was developed in Germany as a versatile herding and working dog. After the German breed association was founded in 1899, planned breeding began using herding dogs from central and southern Germany. The aim was to combine functional construction with temperament and working ability.

The first breed standard was written in 1899 following proposals by A. Meyer and Max von Stephanitz. The breed's working ability soon led to uses beyond herding. The German Shepherd Dog has since gained a prominent role as a working, competition and service dog in many fields.

This history explains why cooperation, endurance, scent work and a functional body remain central to the breed. It also explains why the breed should not be judged only by silhouette or colour. A sound German Shepherd Dog should be able to work and move efficiently; appearance should support function.

## Living with the Breed

The German Shepherd Dog can live well in a family and even in an apartment, but only if the owner can provide training, recovery, space and safe day-to-day management. A garden does not replace activity, and the type of home does not replace planning. In a building with poor sound insulation, owners also need to prevent and train barking and reactions to sounds in the stairwell or outside windows.

An adult must be present around children, especially because the breed is large and strong. Children should not be responsible for walks or intervene in highly aroused situations. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place, and children and dogs should not be left alone together. Suitability for family life depends on the individual dog's temperament, experiences and training, not on the breed name.

The same caution applies to other animals. A German Shepherd Dog can live with another dog or a cat, but this cannot be promised on the basis of breed. Let dogs meet calmly, preferably on neutral ground. When introducing a cat, provide dog-free escape routes for the cat; use a barrier and a lead, and prevent chasing from the first meeting. Proceed only when both animals are relaxed and supervise them until their interaction is stable.

Time alone must be trained gradually. A young puppy should not be left alone, and a secure adult that has been trained to stay alone can normally manage a few hours rather than a full working day. Increase the time in small steps and arrange a dog sitter or another solution if daily life requires more time alone than the individual dog can handle calmly.

The best home for a German Shepherd Dog does not have a particular address. It has adults who want to train, can read the dog's signals, follow up its health and provide both meaningful activity and genuine rest throughout the dog's life.

German Shepherd Dog

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. (Germany)

Den Danske Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.

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